too-/ ye- 
ll E C O II 1) 



OF THE SERVICE OF THE 



FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT 

OF 



MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



^rintetJ for tfje ftegimetttai ^ssoctattotu 




CAMBRIDGE: 
PEESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON. 
July, 1868. 



if 



PREFACE. 



The Association of Officers of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
Volunteers, at their last annual meeting, voted to print in pam- 
phlet form the diary kept by Colonel Fox during the regimental 
service. A committee, consisting of General Hartwell, Doctor 
Brown, Major Goodwin and Captain Soule, was appointed to con- 
fer with Colonel Fox for the purpose of revising the record, and 
to take in charge its printing and distribution. Yery little change 
has, however, been made from the original draft ; and the thanks 
of the Association are due to the author for his kindness in 
placing this material at their disposal. Should any profit accrii 
from the sales, it will be devoted to the relief of destitution among* 
the men of the regiment, or their families. 

Lest this record should fall into the hands of any person not 
immediately interested in the contents, it may be well to state 
here, that it is not published nor in any way offered to public 
criticism. It only purports to be a plain narrative of events, 
printed for the use of the participants. No peculiar prominence 
and no singular merit are claimed for the regiment, beyond the 
reputation shared by so many other organizations in the Massa- 
chusetts line, of having done in a soldierly and efficient manner 
whatever duty there was to do. 

In finishing their work, the committee of publication send 
friendly greeting to the fellow-soldiers into whose homes this 
Record may come. 



1 



/ 



FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT 

OF 

MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



The success of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volun- 
« teers having shown that the project of raising colored troops was 
e practicable, and that regiment being filled, it was determined to 
^ceed immediately to the formation of the Fifty-fifth Massachu- 
The committee who had furnished the recruits for the 
jurth, expressed the opinion that it could be recruited in 
iian six weeks. 

.1 the 12th of May, 1863, therefore, on the arrival at Readville 
x squad of recruits, Leonard C. Alden, of Cambridge, was com- 
ssioned and mustered in as second-lieutenant of the Fifty-fifth 
Massachusetts ; and entered at once upon the discharge of his 
iuties, enrolling and taking charge of the first detachment at the 
camp just vacated by the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, Col. 
Charles R. Lowell. 

Lieut.-Col. N. P. Hallowell, and Capt. A. S. Hartwell, of the 
Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, had been designated as colonel and 
lieutenant-colonel of the new regiment; and Lieut. Charles B. Fox — - 
of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, as major, — all being at that 
time stationed at Readville, and able to devote themselves at once 
to the interests of the organization. 

On the afternoon of May 28, the Fifty-fourth Regiment left 
Readville for Hilton Head, S.C., the recruits of the Fifty-fifth were 
transferred to the barracks thus vacated, and routine of drill and 
discipline began. 

Recruits arrived so rapidly, that the want of a sufficient number 
-of experienced officers was seriously felt. Lieuts. Nutt and Tilden, 
of the Fifty-fourth, had remained at Readville, to receive promotion 

l 



2 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



in the new regiment. The field officers were constantly occupied 
with squad and company drills. Mr. Parker, afterward captain in 
the Second Heavy Artillery, and others, afforded valuable aid as 
volunteers. But the deficiency still continued ; and, owing to the 
unwillingness of the War Department to discharge competent men 
from active service to accept commissions, appointments which 
would otherwise have been thought inexpedient were necessary ; 
and several commissions were issued to civilians, throwing upon 
the really qualified officers the labor of teaching the teachers, 
besides introducing errors, hard to correct, in the elementary drill 
of the men. 

Though most of the recruits had passed an examining surgeon 
at Buffalo, a large number were rejected by the regimental sur- 
geon in camp ; and, notwithstanding the opinion of the Recruiting 
Committee, that, after all the trouble and expense of collecting 
and forwarding men, too many were thus set aside, experience 
proved that it would have been better in the end had the number 
been much larger. 

On the evening after the arrival of the first squad of recruits, at 
the conclusion of the tattoo roll-call, and before the ranks were 
broken and the men dismissed for the night, a striking and 
unusual scene occurred. One of their number stepped from the 
ranks and made a simple and appropriate prayer, and the whole 
squad joined in singing one of their peculiar hymns. The practice 
thus commenced was continued, and adopted by each company in 
succession, and was seldom omitted during the stay of the regi- 
ment at Readville ; but continued with increased interest, partly on 
account of the really fine singing, until it became a great attraction 
to the friends of the officers and men. This led to the formation 
of several glee-clubs ; one remarkably good one, mostly from Com- 
pany F, which gave a concert at Dedham a short time before the 
departure of the regiment, realizing therefrom an addition to the 
company fund. These evening exercises, as well as the drills and 
parades, attracted many visitors, including on one occasion Gover- 
nor Andrew and staff, and will long be remembered by those who 
had the pleasure of attending them. 

While the squad of raw recruits remained in the cavalry camp, 
guard-duty was performed by detachments from the Fifty-fourth ; 
but, on the departure of that regiment and the change of camp,' 
regular guard was established and instruction in the routine of 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFAhTRY. 



3 



guard-duty commenced. Many, of course, were the mistakes and 
absurdities committed in this and other new duties ; but they were 
no more than would be noticed in any new regiment. 

The arms and equipments for the regiment were not received 
until the 23d of June, when they were furnished with the Tower 
pattern of the Enfield Rifle, calibre .574 ; but, on commencing 
guard-duty, fifty old-pattern Springfield muskets to each company 
had been provided by Gen. Pierce, commanding Camp Meigs, from 
the State Arsenal, and, though much out of repair, were far bet- 
ter than nothing for that duty and for drill. 

The great importance of target-practice, before entering the 
field, was fully appreciated by those having the regiment in 
charge ; and an issue of one round of buck and ball, and three 
rounds of blank cartridges per man for the Springfield, and six 
rounds of ball for the Enfields, was obtained from the State. The 
blank cartridges were used in volley-firing. The target-practice is 
worthy of record. With the Springfield smooth bore, at eighty 
yards, one-eighth of the balls struck a target eighteen by twenty 
inches in size, two-thirds struck within a circle of five feet radius 
around the centre of the target. With the Enfield rifled musket, 
distance a hundred and a hundred and fifty yards, one shot out 
of twenty struck a target eighteen inches in diameter, and about 
one-half struck within a circle of five feet radius. This firing 
was without a rest, and the first practice. 

The regiment had its first evening parade under Col. Hallowell, 
at its first camp, three companies being represented. Similar 
parades, without arms, were held, other companies being added as 
formed, until the first Sunday evening after the receipt of the 
arms from the United States, when the first full and regular dress- 
parade of the regiment took place. 

The first battalion-drill, of Companies A, B, C, and D, took place 
under command of Major Fox during the first week in June, and 
other companies were gradually added at succeeding drills under 
the different field officers until all were under instruction. Until 
the departure from Readville, battalion-drill became the regular 
duty of every pleasant afternoon, and was omitted only on such 
days as practice marches of from four to six miles were made over 
the roads of the surrounding country. 

While the regiment was thus rapidly perfected in squad, com- 
pany, and battalion drill, and in the duties of the soldier, a drum 



! 



4 FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 

corps of twenty, mostly lads from twelve to fifteen years of age, 
was making good progress under a competent instructor. 

A set of instruments having been furnished by the liberality of 
friends of the regiment, a band of seventeen was detailed from 
the enlisted men, and placed under the instruction of Professor 
Bond. This band improved rapidly, made a creditable appearance 
on dress-parades, and played with effect on the march through 
Boston, on the twenty-first of the same month. 

The departure for the seat of war of the Second Massachusetts 
Cavalry, and the return to Readville for muster out of two of the 
nine months' regiments, rendered necessary a large amount of 
fatigue-duty about the barracks at Camp Meigs, which devolved 
entirely upon the Fifty-fifth, the only regiment then stationed 
there. This duty interfered with the regular drills, and somewhat 
retarded improvement in military exercises. 

The regiment remained without its colors for some time after 
its organization, using on drills and parades a flag which had 
been presented by the young ladies of Dorchester to the Wide 
Awakes of that town. This delay was occasioned by the non-arri- 
val of a gentleman from Ohio, who had been delegated to present 
to the regiment a stand of colors, the gift of the colored ladies of 
that State. These consisted of a national color of heavy silk, and 
a regulation infantry color of embroidered blue silk. This color 
was too heavy to be carried in service, and was besides one, to 
which, as a State organization, the regiment was not entitled. It 
was left in Boston, but was afterward sent to the regiment while 
near Savannah ; and, upon the muster out of the regiment, was 
deposited by Col. Hartwell in the hands of Gov. Andrew, and now 
remains with Mrs. Andrew. With these colors there were also two 
guidons of silk, small national flags with oak staves. On the 18th 
of July, Gov. Andrew presented to the regiment, in the presence 
of a large assembly of its friends, both the State and Ohio colors. 
In addition to these a set of markers of blue silk was afterward 
presented to the regiment by ladies residing near Blue Hills. The 
State color from Massachusetts, and the national from Ohio, were 
taken with the regiment to the field, carried through most of its 
service, and, being much worn, were exchanged for others about 
the time of the occupation of Savannah. Most unfortunately these 
service-worn flags, while on the way northward, were destroyed by 
fire at the express-office in Beaufort, 



i 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



5 



Many visitors were attracted to Readville during the stay of the 
regiment, and the drills and parades were witnessed by large num- 
bers of spectators. Many came, of course, from curiosity ; but 
many from sincere interest in the organization and the cause. 
Much kindness was experienced, both by officers and men, from 
persons, often entire strangers at the first, and many acquaintances 
were made and friendships formed which continued or were re- 
membered with pleasure long after. 

On the 4th of July, 1863, a festival was prepared for the regi- 
ment by the ladies in the vicinity. Music and dancing, with 
games and prizes were the order of the day, and in the evening a 
display of fireworks from the high embankment of the railroad 
overlooking the camp. The leader of the regimental band was pre- 
sented with a silver cornet. The military exercises of the day 
consisted in a review of the regiment by Brig.-G-en. R. A. Pierce 
commanding the camp, an officer who took great interest in the 
formation of both the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Regiments. 

By the exertions of Col. Hallowell and others, permission was 
obtained from the War Department to exchange the regulation 
knapsack, which was exceedingly awkward and inconvenient, for 
"Short's" knapsack, — a great improvement over the army pat- 
tern. The difference in cost, amounting to one dollar each, was 
paid by the men. 

Very few desertions occurred at Readville, and the deserters 
were men of such character that their officers had no desire to 
retake them ; and though the usual amount of minor military 
offences common to all new organizations occurred, only one case 
to any extent serious happened. Private Benjamin Hayes, while 
forcibly resisting Lieut. Kingston, the officer of the guard, in the 
discharge of his duty, was shot by him, and narrowly escaped with 
his life. The testimony in the case was somewhat confused, and 
it was rather a nice question as to how far the lieutenant was jus- 
tified in his action. It would have been satisfactory, in view of 
the effect on the regiment, if the officer had been court-martialled 
and either sustained or condemned ; but it was thought advisable 
by the proper authorities to accept his resignation. From the 
known bad character of the wounded man, and the subsequent 
noble conduct of the lieutenant while a non-commissioned officer 
in a Kentucky organization, it would be unjust to charge him with 
having been actuated by improper motives. Hayes recovered from 
his wound, and afterward died at Readville of typhoid fever. 



6 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



No regiment left Massachusetts with a better outfit than the 
Fifty-fifth. Few, if any, in better drill and discipline for the 
length of time they had been under instruction ; none with a more 
faithful, intelligent, and efficient corps of officers, or men more 
thoroughly devoted to the cause which they had undertaken. 
While large bounties were being paid to other organizations, the 
men of this received only the fifty-dollar bounty from the State, 
paid a few days before their departure. Uncertain whether, in case 
of capture, the government who had accepted them as soldiers 
could or would protect them as such ; doubtful whether, if pris- 
oners in the hands of the enemy, instant death or slavery — worse 
than death — might not be their portion ; destined to wait for 
months for even that poor recognition of service, the pay of a pri- 
vate soldier, these men took their lives in their hands and went 
forth cheerfully to the fight for the cause of the Union and the 
freedom of their race. It is due to such devotion that their errors 
to which all are liable be passed lightly over. 

The amount sent home by the enlisted men to their families, on 
receipt of the State bounty, was large, in proportion to the sums 
received, and a large portion of their monthly pay was allotted to 
their families through the medium of the State Commissioners ; 
this last, however, was rendered useless by the delay in the pay- 
ment of the regiment, and most of the allotments were finally 
cancelled. 

Several non-commissioned officers and privates were detached 
from the Fifty-fourth Regiment previous to its departure, to take 
part in the organization of the Fifty-fifth, some of whom afterward 
became valuable members of the regiment, and all of whom ren- 
dered good service in the drills at the commencement. 

While at Camp Meigs, great attention was paid to neatness of 
dress, cleanliness of person, and the order and police of the camp 
and barracks. Each company was marched under a commissioned 
officer to the neighboring pond, immediately after reveille roll- 
call ; frequent inspections of the barracks and kitchens were made 
by the company and regimental officers and officers of the day. 
The neatness and thoroughness of the cooking for the companies 
were very observable, and much above the average, partly for the 
reason, no doubt, that almost every company contained one or more 
excellent cooks. To the great care bestowed on the sanitary con- 
dition of the men may perhaps be attributed the fact, that the 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



7 



varioloid, which attacked a few did not spread or in any way inter- 
fere with the formation of the regiment. 

A great desire existed, among those who had been deprived of 
all educational privileges, to learn to read and write ; and through 
the kindness and labors of Dr. Bowditch and others, a school was 
established to teach those who desired to learn. Many availed 
themselves of this, and many were assisted by their company offi- 
cers and their better informed fellow-soldiers, so that a decided 
improvement in this respect was effected among the men during 
their stay at Readville. 

The Fifty-fifth was first ordered to proceed by land to New York, 
and then embark for Newbern, N.C. ; but the occurrence of the draft 
riots caused a change of route to be deemed advisable by the 
Department at Washington. In anticipation of marching " through 
New York," the regiment for several days had been carefully 
drilled in street-firing, and it was matter of disappointment to most 
of them that their route was changed. There may well be doubt 
if this taking counsel of fear was wise, when it is remembered 
with what an ovation the Ninth United-States colored troops, not 
long after, marched down Broadway, and what a re-action in public 
feeling might have been produced by a thoroughly drilled and dis- 
ciplined colored regiment, marching firmly and boldly, as they had 
a right to do, through New-York streets. Certainly it could not 
have been necessary to run away from that besotted canaille ; and 
a bolder course would have brought out the old, and made new, 
friends of freedom. Agreeably to orders, however, the regiment 
broke camp at Readville on the morning of Tuesday, July 21, 
1863 ; were conveyed by the Providence railroad to Boston ; 
marched through some of the principal streets to Battery Wharf; 
and embarked safely on the steamer " Cahawba," with instructions 
to report to Brig.-Gen. Wilde, at Newbern, N.C. All the baggage, 
except the personal baggage of the officers, had been placed on 
board the night before, and every movement was made with great 
promptness. 

Owing to the excited state of the public mind, and a heavy 
shower, which commenced before the column reached the wharf, 
the contemplated review by the Governor on the common was 
omitted. The regiment marched through Boston with loaded 
muskets and fixed bayonets and five rounds of ball cartridges per 
man. It would not be fair to old Boston to say that ball cartridges 



8 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



secured for the Fifty-fifth a quiet passage through its streets. 
The Fifty-fourth and " Wagner," it is true, had not then been 
heard from ; but the general satisfaction in this new " policy," or 
at least the absence of opposition, was clear, from the fact that 
no signs of disapprobation were made by the spectators who 
thronged the streets on the route of the regiment, and that fre- 
quent cheers and applause greeted them, especially on Tremont, 
Cambridge, Court, and State Streets. The men marched and 
appeared well. Officers who were personally known were heartily 
cheered at various points, particularly near the Park-street Church, 
where members of the Forty-fourth Regiment had collected under 
Col. Lee.* Many bouquets were thrown to the officers by their lady 
friends, the colonel being particularly favored. 

Previous to embarking, the muskets were discharged by com- 
pany into the dock ; but in their damp state, could not be packed 
away in boxes as originally intended, and it was some time before 
they recovered in appearance from the exposure, and want of care 
on the voyage. The accommodations on the steamer were good, 
the facilities for rationing the men fair, and all were as comfortably 
quartered as they could expect on transport. During the process 
of embarking, the public were excluded from the wharf, to avoid 
confusion. A few men who had been under arrest at Fort Inde- 
pendence having been put on board, the gangways were drawn in, 
and such of the friends as the rain had not dispersed, came upon 
the wharf and witnessed the departure. Firing two guns by way 
of salute, the " Cahawba " cast off and proceeded on her way about 
two o'clock, p.m. Not a man was left behind in passing through 
the city, nor did a case of drunkenness or rowdyism on the part of 
any member come to the knowledge of the officers. 

A few men, not well enough to march, had been left at Readville. 
Capt. Gordon remained at home in Exeter, N.H., sick ; Lieut. King- 
ston waited in Boston for the acceptance of his resignation ; Lieu- 
tenants Ladd and Marsh, and Second Asst. -Surgeon Babbitt had 
not yet reported for duty. With these exceptions, the regiment 
had its full complement of officers. The commissioned officers, 
with the exception of the chaplain, a colored clergyman from 
New Bedford, were white. The non-commissioned officers, includ- 

* Lieut.-Col. Hartwell, Capts. Soule, Crane, and Goodwin, Lieuts. D. H. Jones and Wood- 
ward, as well as many of the Fifty-fourth officers, had been members of the Forty-fourth. 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



9 



ing the non-commissioned staff, with the exception of the hospital 
steward, were colored. 

A regular guard was maintained on the steamer during the 
passage ; but no difficulties, except of a trivial nature, occurred. 
Sea-sickness claimed its usual number of victims from both officers 
and enlisted men ; the weather for the first forty-eight hours being 
quite rough. 

The " Cahawba " reached the wharf at Morehead City, Saturday 
morning, July 25, and the regiment was landed, and marched 
half a mile up the railroad track to the line of earthworks erected 
for the defence of the place, where arms were stacked and ranks 
broken to await the train from Newbern. Freed from the confine- 
ment of shipboard, the men overran the neighborhood, in search 
of water and eatables, especially melons, large numbers of which 
were speedily disposed of. At five o'clock, all, except the quarter- 
master's detail, were loaded on a train of open cars, from which 
they were safely landed on the south bank of the Trent, opposite 
Newbern, between seven and eight p.m. of the same day. 

The regiment was formed in column by company, by the side of 
the track. The departure of the train had been telegraphed from 
Morehead, and Gen. Wilde and staff awaited our arrival. Col. 
Hallowell reported to the General, and camping ground was 
assigned on the bank of the river below Fort Spinola, where the 
command went into bivouac, — their first experience in the field. 
While on the march from the railroad, a halt was ordered opposite 
the camp of the First North-Carolina Colored Troops, Col. Beecher, 
where the men were provided with abundance of hot coffee, and the 
officers hospitably entertained. 

Sunday morning was sperit in pitching camp, wall tents for the 
officers and shelters for the men being furnished from Newbern. 
Fair water was obtained from wells and springs by the river, and 
the location seemed not undesirable. Much to the astonishment 
of all, a brigade drill was ordered by Gen. Wilde for Sunday after- 
noon. 

Monday, July 27, was occupied in arranging camp, and establish- 
ing the order of daily calls and duties. The evening dress parade 
was followed by a second brigade drill, lasting until after dark. 
By July 28, the camp had acquired a neat and regular appear- 
ance, while the meu had recovered from the fatigue and confine- 
ment of the voyage, and resumed their usual soldierly bearing. The 

2 



10 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



regiment compared favorably with the First North-Carolina Colored 
Troops in drill and discipline, and was especially distinguished by 
their precise manner of saluting and of performing guard duty. 
Their dress parade also presented more steadiness and precision. 
There can be no doubt that the evening drills referred to affected 
unfavorably the health of the Fifty-fifth, a large majority of whom 
were entirely unacclimated, and that they were in a great degree 
the cause of much of the sickness which now developed itself. 
The drills of the 28th and 29th July were in brigade movements, 
combined with firing blank cartridges by file, company, wing, rank, 
and alternate battalions, both in advance and retreat. 

During the night of July 29, while we were expecting to start 
on a raid into the interior, orders unexpectedly came to embark for 
Charleston, S.C., where Gen. Gilmore, after a partial success, had 
met a severe repulse from Fort Wagner on Morris Island, and the 
Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, leading the assault, had lost its noble 
young colonel and two of its captains killed, together with nearly 
half its number killed, wounded, and missing. 

The embarkation commenced on the morning of July 30, in 
the midst of a pouring rain. Companies D, G, I, and K marched 
over the bridge to Newbern, and went on board the schooner 
" Recruit," which had been surveyed and ordered for repairs, 
and were towed by a tug to the bar at Hatteras Inlet. The 
remaining six companies embarked from Fort Spinola on the 
steamer " Maple Leaf," from which part of Company E was 
afterward transferred to the schooner " Williams," to lighten the 
steamer over the bar. On board the " Maple Leaf" were Col. 
Hallowell, Lieut.-Col. Hartwell, Surgeon Brown, Chaplain Jackson, 
Adjutant Hallowell, Quartermaster Mussey, and the band ; on the 
schooner " Recruit," Major Fox and Asst.-Surg. Wilder. Brig.- 
Gen. Wilde and staff were also on the steamer, with a small detach- 
ment of the First North-Carolina Colored Troops, which regiment 
embarked at Morehead City for Charleston, at about the same time. 

By order of Gen. Wilde, the regiment left Newbern in light 
marching order, the men wearing their blouses and carrying only 
their blankets. Knapsacks, stores, tents, officers' baggage and the 
horses of the field and staff, with men in charge, and those too 
sick for duty, were left under the command of Lieut. J. T. Nichols 
in the camp, which remained standing, with whom also remained 
Commissary-Sergeant Becker, in charge of the quartermaster's 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



11 



stores. The places of the sick were filled by recruits destined for 
the Second North-Carolina Colored Troops, who, by order of Gen. 
Wilde, received the arms and equipments of the former. Officers 
and men were supplied with three days' rations only ; but fortu- 
nately rations in bulk had been put on board the " Recruit," which 
were needed and used before her arrival at Folly Island. 

On reaching Hatteras Inlet, the sea was found to be too rough 
for the tug, which was to have towed the sailing vessels over the 
bar. The timely arrival of the mail steamer from New York, how- 
ever, prevented delay from this cause, and took them all over 
before sunset. 

The " Maple Leaf" arrived at Stono Inlet, off Folly Island, S.C., 
Aug. 3, and landed her detachment, which proceeded along the 
beach to the extreme northerly end of Folly Island, and bivouacked 
in the sand. So urgent was the call for men that heavy details for 
fatigue were at once made, and it was not until after five days that 
the camp vacated by the Forty-seventh New York, about four hun- 
dred yards south of Light-House Inlet, in a small grove of pal- 
metto on the beach, was assigned to the Fifty-fifth, the First North 
Carolina going into camp directly north of them. 

After ten tedious days of head winds, light winds, and no winds, 
during three of which the Hatteras Light was constantly in sight, 
the " Recruit " arrived off Light-House Inlet, by Morris Island, 
Aug. 9, meeting, a few miles at sea, the " Maple Leaf" in search 
of her, she having towed in the " Williams " the day previous. The 
" Recruit " was towed over the inlet bar the next day. Fortunately 
the detachment had not suffered for water, as the troops on the 
" Williams " had. Aug. 9th saw the regiment once more together 
upon Folly Island, as part of Wilde's Brigade, Vogdes' Division of 
the Tenth Corps, under Gen. Gilmore. 

From Aug. 10, until the opening of fire upon Fort Sumter, 
Sept. 5, 1863, heavy details for both night and day fatigue were 
made from the regiment, amounting on the average to at least three 
hundred and fifty men each twenty-four hours. These details were 
employed in cutting timber, making gabions, building wharves, 
loading and unloading stores, artillery, and ammunition, hauling 
heavy guns to the front, and working in the trenches on Morris 
Island. The greater part of the work was under fire. In addition 
to this, the regiment furnished part of the picket for the north end 
of Folly Island. During this time, the white and colored regiments 



12 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



on Morris Island were worked with equal severity, their duty only 
differing from that of the Fifty-fifth in having to take in turn the 
duty of grand guard. From Gen. Vogdes' Division on Folly Island, 
however, all details for fatigue were made from the colored troops. 
If there were any exceptions to this rule, they did not come to 
the notice of the officers of the Fifty-fifth, as they must have been 
almost sure to do, as all details for Morris Island passed along the 
beach directly in front of their camp. According to Vogdes' state- 
ment, however, these details were made on him by Gilmore. 

From Sept. 17 to Oct. 28, in addition to guard, picket, and 
fatigue duty, the whole regiment was required to be under arms 
at four a.m., and to remain until daybreak enabled the outposts to 
see across the marshes. It was considered very unhealthy for the 
men to stand still or lie down in the open air before sunrise, and 
the regiment was frequently drilled upon the beach, by company 
or battalion, during this morning hour. 

During the operations which resulted in the evacuation of Forts - 
Wagner and Gregg, the men of the Fifty-fifth were employed upon 
every important work of the approaches from right to left, includ- 
ing the " Swamp Angel " and Block Island. After the evacuation, 
they worked also upon Wagner, Gregg, and the intervening batte- 
ries, and all this under a fire, more or less constant, from the 
guns and mortars of the enemy. The testimony of the engineer 
and ordnance officers under whom they served in the trenches 
and batteries, as given in reply to questions officially asked, was 
substantially as follows : — 

" Under similar circumstances, they accomplished at least a 
third more fatigue duty in a given time than the details from 
white regiments. That there were few, if any, shirks ; the details 
mustering full. That there was no marked deficiency in mechani- 
cal skill, for the work they were required to perform." 

While the heavier siege-guns were being mounted at the front, 
the work was exceedingly arduous, — the details often amounting 
to five hundred men in twenty-four hours, a large part of the work 
being at night. Fortunately, this period of extremely severe duty 
was not of long duration. 

Considering the length of time during which the details were 
exposed to constant shelling, and the imperfect cover available, it 
is remarkable that the only casualties should have been a few 
slight bruises. Several narrow escapes, however, occurred, — such 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



13 



as the bursting of a shell in the same splinter-proof with Capt. 
Crane and Lieut. Fowler, injuring neither, and the fall of a 
private, on Block Island, into the furrow cut by a shot which 
passed directly under him. 

After the opening of fire upon Fort Sumter, the details from 
the regiment were greatly lessened, averaging, from that date 
until the first of November following, about one hundred and 
fifty per day, allowing daily drills and dress parade, a more strict 
performance of guard duty, and attention to the order and neat- 
ness of camp. The men and their quarters, therefore, speedily 
assumed a more military appearance. It had not been deemed 
proper to be very exacting, when, in addition to guard and picket, 
the work of a day-laborer was required of every man. 

During the last week in August, " A" tents were drawn for the 
regiment, and their condition was rendered more comfortable. 
The water obtained from wells dug near the camp was strongly 
sulphuretted, and somewhat brackish, and liable, at first, to affect 
the health. The greatest annoyance experienced was from the 
immense clouds of fine sand which penetrated everywhere, and 
covered whatever eatables we had. The beach, at low water, was 
a capital ground for drill, being smooth, hard, wide, and several 
miles long. 

After much exertion, on the part of Col. Hallo well, to overcome 
the opposition of Gen. Wilde, who, anxious to return with his com- 
mand to North Carolina, was unwilling to favor any thing looking 
to a continuance in the Department of the South, permission 
from Gen. Gilmore was obtained, by Lieut.-Col. Hartwell, to 
proceed to Newbern, and procure the regimental baggage ; and he 
accordingly sailed in the steamer " Delaware," Sept. 22, 1863. 
He returned to Folly Island, Sept. 30, having been successful in 
his mission, and landed the baggage at Pawnee Landing in Folly 
River, from whence it was transferred in wagons to the camp. 

Soon after the departure of the regiment from North Carolina, 
the guard left at the camp had been ordered to Fortress Monroe, 
and the camp equipage and stores removed to Newbern. They 
were not sufficiently guarded there, nor were proper measures 
taken to preserve the commissary stores. It was found, on exami- 
nation, that many articles of public and private property had 
been lost, stolen, or destroyed. The most serious loss fell upon 
the enlisted men. A number of knapsacks were missing, and, from 



14 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



many of those remaining, overcoats, dress-coats, and trousers had 
been stolen. No allowance could be obtained for these losses, — 
a manifest injustice, as the company and regimental commanders 
acted in strict accordance with definite orders, and the articles 
were lost through no fault of the men. The officers proceeded to 
procure the proper certificates to account for their loss of public 
property ; but much trouble and loss would have been prevented 
by forethought and proper care for the troops on the part of some 
one in authority. 

In September, during Lieut.-Col. Hartwell's absence at New- 
bern, Col. N. P. Hallowell went North, on leave from the War 
Department. He was suffering from an old and severe wound in 
the arm, received at Antietam, which, under the heat and expo- 
sure, had become rapidly worse. He did not return to the regi- 
ment. Finding that it would be several months before he could 
again be fit for duty, he resigned his commission, Nov. 1, 1863. 
The loss of Col. Hallowell was a source of great regret to all 
connected with the regiment. Universally beloved and respected 
as an officer and a man, thoroughly interested in the cause in 
which he had been engaged from the first, all felt that his place 
could not be easily filled. Adjutant Hallowell, also, after a long 
and heroic struggle against a severe affection of the sciatic nerve, 
which at times made every movement a torture, was obliged to 
leave on sick furlough for the North, and, soon after, to resign his 
commission. Lieut. Leonard C. Alden, after a sickness of several 
weeks, during which he gradually failed, at length started for his 
home, via Hilton Head, Oct. 4. He had waited too long, however, 
and he died at Beaufort Hospital, Oct. 5, 1863, of chronic diar- 
rhoea. A graduate of Harvard University, in the class of 1861, 
a fine scholar and faithful officer, with tastes which did not at all 
incline to military life, Lieut. Alden entered the service to leave it 
thus early and sadly, solely from his great interest in the cause 
which the colored troops represented. The first officer commis- 
sioned in the regiment, he was the first to die. He had left his 
duties as instructor at Harvard College, receiving notice of his ap- 
pointment late one evening, and reporting at headquarters for 
duty the next day. He died among strangers, as no soldier, officer 
or man, could leave the regiment to attend him. The deep regret 
felt by the regiment at his loss was expressed in resolves signed 
by all the officers, and sent to his afflicted mother. His remains 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



15 



were afterwards removed North by his brother, and lie in Mount 
Auburn. Capt. C. P. Bowditch and Lieuts. Wood and Messinger 
left the regiment at this time, broken down by hard duty and the 
severe heat of the southern climate, Capt. Bowditch to return to 
the regiment, at the expiration of his leave, in good health and spir- 
its. Lieut. Wood had been detailed on a boat expedition the first 
night of his arrival on Folly Island. His constitution, weakened by 
wounds received at Antietam, was not able to bear the malaria of 
the river, and, after a lingering and partial convalescence, he 
returned to the regiment only to resign. Lieut. Messinger, a 
young appointee from civil life, entirely unaccustomed to hard- 
ships, or even to absence from home, resigned, at Beaufort Hospi- 
tal, on account of ill health. Lieut. Harrison Holt, the second 
officer mustered into the regiment, had found that duty as an 
infantry-officer so aggravated an old foot-wound, which he had 
supposed healed, as to render him unfit for duty. He was de- 
tached as post-adjutant at Readville, but now rejoined his regiment, 
to forward his resignation, and receive his discharge. 

Notwithstanding the excessive fatigue-duty which the exigencies 
of the service called upon the men to perform during August, 
September, and October, 1863, a duty usually destructive of drill 
and discipline, they preserved in a good degree their military 
character, and continued hopeful and cheerful, though rumors of 
trouble in regard to their pay began to be heard. The regiment, 
of course, contained some bad men ; but, making a slight allow- 
ance for difference of education, it appeared to no disadvantage 
when compared with white regiments. 

During October, 1863, night fatigue-duty ceased almost entirely, 
and only a regular fatigue-party of fifty each day was detailed for 
the engineer-yard on Morris Island. The drills, during this month, 
averaged one and a half hours daily. Soft bread was furnished 
to the regiment, and vegetables were issued to prevent scurvy. 

Oct. 10, a detail of forty-seven men from Company F, and sixty- 
seven from Company G, under Capt. Wales, accompanied by Lieuts. 
Jones and Ladd, was ordered to Otter and Botany Bay Islands, at 
the mouth of Edisto River, to assist in building signal stations of 
the line from Folly Island to Hilton Head. 

During the last week in October, Col. Beecher assumed com- 
mand of the brigade, Gen. Wilde having left for North Carolina. 
At the same time, orders were so modified that only those not 



16 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



detailed for duty were required to be under arms at daybreak. 
Capt. Wheelock Pratt, who had formerly served as a sergeant of 
engineers in the regular army, had been detailed, Aug. 22, to 
assist the engineers on Morris Island. About this time, he re- 
joined his company for a short while, but was soon detailed again, 
and remained on detached service until the muster out of the 
regiment. He received a severe shock from the explosion of a 
shell in the trenches fronting Wagner, to the effects of which his 
death in December, 1866, was probably due. 

On the departure of Adjutant Hallowell, Lieut. L. B. Perry was 
detailed as acting-adjutant. He was afterward appointed adjutant. 

The termination of severe duty allowing more leisure to the 
men, more cases of misconduct occurred, and four men were 
tried by court-martial during October. On account of extenuating 
circumstances, their sentences were light. This month, a gift was 
received, from the freedmen near Hilton Head, of a quantity of 
sweet potatoes. They also, at another time, sent a large number 
of watermelons to the regiment. About this time, the stores of 
the regimental sutler, D. W. Johnson, arrived, much to the grati- 
fication of officers and men ; for the former had been dependent 
for stores upon the sutlers and commissaries on Morris Island, 
which the distance, and restrictions on passes, made difficult of 
access. Almost the only luxury obtainable in August and Septem- 
ber was fresh fish, caught by the men from the beach. 

Nov. 6, Col. M. S. Littlefield, Fourth United-States Colored 
Troops, relieved Col. Beecher in command of the brigade. 

Nov. 8, the camp was changed to a spot, previously selected by 
Col. Beecher, on the west slope of a wooded ridge, in the middle 
of the island, on the road leading from the Campbell House to the 
beach. This ridge was the third from the sea, — the bluff over 
the beach being the first, — and only a gentle rise or two of wooded 
ground separated it from the marshes bordering on Folly River. 
A good location for cold weather ; it would have been decidedly 
unhealthy in summer, when the health of the troops could only be 
preserved by encamping as near as possible to the beach, exposed 
to the sea-breeze. 

Major Fox first proceeded, with Company K, to lay out the new 
camp ; and, by the 18th, the regiment was re-assembled, with the 
exception of Company C, which remained at Light-House Inlet, to 
fill details for the engineer yard. This new camp was gradually 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



17 



improved, a parade ground cleared in front, and soon made, if not 
the best regimental camp on the island, certainly the best ever 
occupied there by the regiment. 

Quartermaster Mussey, having been detailed as acting brigade- 
quartermaster, his place was filled first by Lieut. Fowler, and 
afterwards by Lieut. Garrison. 

The question of the payment of the regiment now began to 
assume a definite shape. Enlisted as Massachusetts volunteers, 
under the same act as other regiments of her quota, the Fifty- 
fourth and Fifty-fifth had received the same outfit, had been 
promised, and had never for one moment doubted, that they 
should receive the same pay, rations, and clothing. Assured by 
the War Department in letters and telegrams, Gov. Andrew had 
authorized the officers of both regiments to promise their men 
"the same pay and treatment" as white troops. As the squads 
first came to Readville from their different recruiting-places in the 
west, it was found that promises of large State bounty had been 
made. The men were told that these were false, except for fifty 
dollars of State bounty ; but were solemnly assured that pay and 
rations should be " like those of white troops." Rumors arose, 
that the pay of ten dollars a month only, including clothing, would 
be offered them, under an act intended for the enlistment of freed- 
men in the South for laborers and cooks. That the Government 
would be guilty of this breach of faith was not credited by officers 
or men until the actual tender of that amount by a paymaster of 
the United States placed it beyond a doubt. Many of the officers 
preferred to decline taking pay for themselves under the circum- 
stances ; but the men requested them to do so, and they received 
their pay Nov. 28. The enlisted men refused almost unani- 
mously to receive this offer, preferring to await a decision of the 
War Department, or the action of Congress, to give them their 
just dues. In the same spirit, they afterward declined to receive 
from the State of Massachusetts the difference between ten and 
thirteen dollars per month. Major James Sturges, accompanied 
with the constant and enthusiastic friend of the regiment, Mr. E. 
W. Kinsley, visited the regiment, provided with funds from Massa- 
chusetts, to pay over this difference. Great as was the suffering 
of the men and their distant families for money, stern justice to 
their race would not allow them to take it. They must let their 
families remain destitute, and they must go on and fight, and die 

3 



18 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



if necessary, for nothing , rather than take the pay and position of 
menials in the Union army. They declared they would serve 
three years without pay rather than waive their undoubted claim 
to recognized equality with other troops. The feeling of the offi- 
cers was, that the men claimed only what was just and right; 
although, fearing the effect of long delay, they made the offer 
seem as favorable as they could. Both Major Sturges and Mr. 
Kinsley addressed the regiment, and fully explained to them the 
object of their visit. Several non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates expressed their views and those of their comrades, in a quiet 
and proper manner, the remarks of Sergt.-Major Trotter being 
especially good. They sent their gratitude to Gov. Andrew, 
and to Massachusetts ; but said they would await justice from the 
proper source. Major Sturges and Mr. Kinsley returned, convinced 
that the men were sound. The visit of these gentlemen was very 
gratifying to the command ; and the officers and men will long 
remember their hearty words of encouragement and good cheer. 

The detachment, under Capt. Wales, continued absent during 
November, and lost two men, taken prisoners. The circumstances 
were as follows : Sergt. J ohnson and Private Logan of Company F 
obtained permission to go for oysters along the creek, and ventur- 
ing too far, and being unarmed, were taken, as was afterwards 
ascertained from a rebel surgeon, by a boat-party in search of 
oranges for the rebel hospitals. When first captured, the men 
narrowly escaped being killed, but were finally taken to Charles- 
ton, where they were imprisoned, but not treated with very unusual 
severity. When Charleston was evacuated, they were removed to 
Salisbury, N.C., where, after many hardships, Sergt. Johnson died, 
Dec. 12, 1864. Logan was afterward exchanged. 

A change was this month made in the non-commissioned staff 
by the return of Quartermaster-Sergt. A. W. Shadd to his company, 
the transfer of Sergt.-Major Kobinson to the position of quarter- 
master-sergeant, and the appointment of First Sergt. J. M. Trotter, 
of Company K, to be sergeant-major. 

Much trouble was experienced in the hospital department, as the 
weather grew colder, from want of proper means of warming 
the hospital tents. Finally, large chimneys of turf were built for 
each tent, which made them comparatively comfortable. The 
regiment was visited about this time by Rev. Charles Lowe, agent 
from the State of Massachusetts, to ascertain the condition of 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



19 



Massachusetts troops in the department, and Lieut.-Col. Browne, 
military secretary of Gov. Andrew. 

Another detail removed a hundred men of Companies B and I 
from the regimental camp this month, a detachment under com- 
mand of Capt. Gordon being ordered to Pawnee Landing. The 
vacancy of Col. Hallowell was filled by the appointment of Lieut.- 
Col. Hartwell as colonel, Major Fox as lieutenant-colonel, and 
Capt. Wales as major. Major Wales was relieved at " Botany 
Bay " by Capt. Hamilton, and returned to the regiment in Decem- 
ber. The detachment under Capt. Hamilton rejoined the regi- 
ment, Dec. 23, and that under Capt. Gordon, Dec. 30. The 
camp of the latter, at Pawnee Landing, had been very neatly and 
tastefully arranged, and had been much noticed. A detachment 
of one hundred men, of Companies E and K, was stationed on 
Long Island during the greater part of December, at the " Stock- 
ade " fort, under Capt. Goodwin. 

In November and December the general health of the regiment 
greatly improved. The loss by disease during August and Septem- 
ber had been heavy ; but as severe night fatigue duty was reduced, 
and especially after the first frosts, deaths became less frequent. 
Mrs. Gen. Lander twice visited the command in December, to 
ascertain what was needed for the comfort of the sick which she 
could supply from the stores at her command. Mr. and Mrs. 
Severance, with some ladies of their acquaintance from Boston, 
and Mr. Fay from Chelsea, with Miss Gilson, visited the regi- 
ment in December, and cheered all hands with their presence and 
with the comfortable things they brought for the sick. A great 
improvement was also made in the condition of the regimental 
hospital, — floors being laid, frames put up for the tents, doors 
constructed, bunks built, and the kitchen, nurses' quarters, and 
dispensary put in fine order for the comfort of the sick. 

The assignment of Col. Littlefield to the command of the 
brigade caused great dissatisfaction in both regiments. His own 
regiment, the Fourth South-Carolina Colored Troops, was but a 
skeleton organization, not entitling him to his rank by its numbers, 
and not being within the brigade or district. His military knowl- 
edge was not so great as that of many of the captains of his 
command. He never ventured on a brigade drill, though Cols. 
Beecher and Hartwell several times did so while in temporary 
command. 



20 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



Christmas, 1863, was observed by the regiment as a holiday, 
and passed in various games and amusements. In most of the 
companies, an extra dinner was provided, either from the company 
fund or by their officers. For instance, in addition to army ra- 
tions, Company D had apple-dumpling and mince-pies ; Company 
F, mince-pies and apples ; Company H, ham and apples, &c. 

Jan. 1, 1864, found the regiment with a full field and staff, 
all present except Asst.-Surgeon Babbitt, and a good proportion 
of company officers. Company E was stationed at Long Island ; the 
fatigue details were light, and the regular picket consisted of one 
commissioned officer and thirty enlisted men each day, with five 
posts to cover the brigade front on Folly River, connecting with 
those of Foster's Brigade on the right and Gordon's Division on 
the left. 

The resignation of Chaplain Jackson was at this time offered 
and accepted. 

Jan. 10. A chapel and school-house, built of poles, palmetto 
leaves, and shelter-tents was finished and dedicated ; Col. Beecher, 
then commanding the brigade, making an address on the occa- 
sion. 

Jan. 20. The troops on Folly Island were reviewed on the 
beach by Gen. Gordon. The regiment had previously been present 
at a review by Gen. Yogdes before leaving their first camp. 

A strong effort was made about this time to procure the transfer 
of the Fifty-fifth to the division commanded by Gen. Gordon. The 
attempt was unsuccessful. Had it been otherwise, the result 
would probably have been the transfer of the regiment to Virginia. 
The detachment under Lieut. Nichols, numbering forty-one enlisted 
men, rejoined the regiment, Jan. 30, from Portsmouth, Ya. Left 
sick, or as guards in the camp at Newbern, Gen. Wilde, on his 
return, had attached them to the Second North-Carolina Colored 
Troops, and it was only after presenting the case to Gen. Butler 
that an order to rejoin their regiment was obtained. While absent, 
they had seen some active service, had one or two men wounded, 
and lost one member of Company D, taken prisoner. During this 
month Company F was detached from the regiment, to take the 
place of re-enlisted men furloughed from Rockwell's Connecticut 
Battery, and became well drilled in artillery duty, to the great 
advantage of the regiment ; for the officers and men of the com- 
pany were able to make their knowledge useful in after service, 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



21 



and to instruct the other companies. The battery was well man- 
aged in their hands, both on drill, reviews, and in action, as 
related below. From this, experience, and from the other com- 
panies afterwards being stationed at forts on Folly Island and 
elsewhere, the greater part of the regiment became familiar with 
light and heavy artillery practice. 

Fifteen recruits were received during January, 1864. They 
were mostly good men, and turned out well. 

During the early part of the month of February, Company F, 
serving Rockwell's Battery, took part in the expedition to John's 
Island, under Brig.-Gen. Schimmelpfennig, of Gordon's Division. 
They were under artillery fire, and were reported as having per- 
formed their duty faithfully. The movement, itself, was to attract 
attention from Gen. Seymour in Florida. 

Feb. 13. Companies A, C, and I, with Lieut.-Col. Fox and 
Asst.-Surgeon Wilder, embarked on the steamer " Peconic " for 
Jacksonville, Fla. The remaining companies, with Col. Hartwell, 
Major Wales, and Surgeon Brown, followed, Feb. 14, on the 
steamer " Collins." Asst.-Surgeon Babbitt was detailed to remain 
on Long Island. The " Peconic" reached Jacksonville at 3 P. M., 
Feb. 14, having ascended the St. Johns unmolested, and with 
only a short delay by grounding off Yellow Bluff. The town 
was occupied by the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts and a light bat- 
tery, the main body of the troops having moved out to Camp 
Finnigan, a rebel camp of rendezvous about two miles south-west 
of Jacksonville, where they had captured some artillery and pris- 
oners, after a slight picket skirmish. By order of Gen. Seymour, 
the detachment on the " Peconic " bivouacked at the further edge 
of the town, near the just abandoned camp of the First North- 
Carolina Colored Troops, which was with the advance. On leav- 
ing Folly Island, a number of men who had been exposed in 
Virginia to the small-pox, were left behind ; but the precaution 
nearly proved unavailing, as several cases were found among the 
troops which had preceded them in Florida. Before leaving Folly 
Island, the men of the Second United-States Colored Troops, 
attached to the regiment at Newbern, had been detached and 
formed into a separate command under a captain of their own 
regiment, and their arms and equipments returned to the com- 
panies from which they had been taken. 

Feb. 15. The companies on board the steamer " Collins " 



22 FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 

landed at night and bivouacked in one of the squares of Jackson- 
ville ; and on the 16th, the regiment, except Companies D and I, 
left to take charge of the baggage, marched to Camp Finnigan, 
where a rendezvous for colored troops was established under Col. 
Littlefield, with the expectation, not to be realized, of obtaining 
a large number of recruits during the contemplated operations in 
Florida. 

Feb. 17. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts left Jacksonville, and 
proceeded to Baldwin, to which point the troops had advanced, and 
the Fifty-fifth was the same day ordered back to garrison Jack- 
sonville, with Col. Hartwell in command, and Capt. Nutt as 
provost-marshal. The regiment bivouacked west of the town, 
doing picket, provost, and fatigue duty, with their baggage in 
store under a guard. 

During the return march from Camp Finnigan, a rape was com- 
mitted by four soldiers, three of whom were arrested, and proved 
to be members of the Fifty-fifth. They were tried and convicted 
by a military commission, and sentenced to be hanged. The sen- 
tence of two of them was executed at Camp Finnigan ; of one, in 
the public square in Jacksonville. This latter execution, neces- 
sarily by the dim moonlight, as the troops marched at dawn, was 
a solemn and impressive scene. The regiment could but see the 
justice of the sentence, and there was never cause for repetition of 
the sad lesson. 

Feb. 19. Companies D, E, G, H, I, and K, under Col. Hartwell, 
marched toward Baldwin, while the remaining four companies, in 
charge of Lieut.-Col. Fox, were left as part of the garrison of 
Jacksonville. Col. Hartwell' s orders were to march to the front. 
On arriving at Baldwin, Col. Tilghman, with the Third United- 
States Colored Troops, was found in charge of knapsacks of the 
advancing regiments and of commissary stores and ammunition. 
Col. Tilghman, assisted by Major Bardwell, both scientific men 
and good volunteer officers, had thrown up some works around the 
place, and prepared for any flank movement of the enemy. Fol- 
lowing suit with the other regiments, Col. Hartwell left his knap- 
sacks here, and pushed on rapidly. At " Darby's," by orders 
received from Gen. Seymour through Col. Tilghman, a company 
under Capt. Nutt was left. This was the first long march of the 
men, and sore feet and weariness prevailed on the second day out ; 
but shortly after leaving Darby's, the heavy and regular roll of 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



23 



distant cannonade was perceived. The men marched on in silence, 
listening intently. It was evident to all that a battle was going 
on ; and so deceptive was the sound, as it reverberated through 
the level pinelands, that it was supposed to be but a few miles off. 
Sore feet and weariness were forgotten. " Take a long, swinging 
step," was the order, obeyed with alacrity. Knapsacks were 
lightened by throwing away the many articles a marching-soldier 
learns how to do without. Lieut. Garrison, acting quartermaster, 
started to the rear to order Capt. Nutt to leave Darby's, and march 
to the front ; but he met that officer on the way with his company 
almost at double quick. As the afternoon advanced, and the firing 
still continued and seemed not to grow nearer, hopes were felt that 
we were driving the rebels. On reaching Barbour's, just after dark, 
Major Appleton was found with a part of the Fifty-fourth Massachu- 
setts, and with orders for Col. Hartwell to relieve him and wait 
there for further orders. The sound of firing had ceased. Major \ 
Appleton hastily drew in his pickets and marched, and Col. Hartwell j 
threw out a new picket-line, covering the stream of the St. Mary's J 
in front, and the railroad on our left, and bivouacked for supper. \ 
About ten o'clock that night the news came, — a defeat at Olustee.^ 
In ambulances, on horses, caissons, and on foot, the wounded 
came in through that long night. The worn-out regiments sadly 
went into the bivouacs occupied by them at Barbour's the night 
before ; and all was quiet except the moans of the wounded as 
they were assisted to places of shelter, or by fires built around 
the house by men detailed from the Fifty-fifth. Heavy pickets 
of the Fifty-fifth and Fifty-fourth were thrown out, and the onset of 
the enemy was hourly expected. But, strangely enough, the night 
wore away, and the whole command were allowed to make their 
way back to Jacksonville unmolested, Feb. 22. 

During the three days preceding Feb. 22, all the force in Jack- 
sonville, where the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, Col. Osborne 
had now arrived, were engaged in strengthening the defences, the 
work on which was rapidly advanced as Gen. Seymour's command 
reached there in retreat, and fresh regiments arrived from South 
Carolina. While the regiment was posted outside the main de- 
fences of the town, it was visited by a brother of Lieut. Alden, 
and a clergyman from Haverhill. The " Quaker gun " on the 
picket line of the regiment will not be forgotten. The temporary 
rifle-pits the regiment had made there were given up, and all 



24 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



were drawn back with the entire command, behind the heavy 
works of the town, where they remained for several days and 
nights, most of the time under arms, and in constant expectation 
of attack. The rebels, however, did not venture an assault. 
Companies A, B, and C rejoined the regiment on its arrival within 
the lines. Company F continued detached, to garrison redoubt 
" Fribley," in consequence of their previous artillery practice. 

Feb. 28. Lieut.-Col. Fox, with Companies B and I, and Asst.- 
Surgeon Wilder, were ordered to Yellow Bluff, a point about half- 
way between Jacksonville and the mouth of the St. Johns, and 
commanding the channel of the river, to fortify and hold the place, 
and assist in building a signal tower. A squad of New- York 
engineers accompanied the detachment, which was strengthened 
by the arrival of Company K, March 1, and Company C, March 
11. They remained at Yellow Bluff until April 17, during which 
time they felled acres of pine woods, cut and built two heavy lines 
of abatis, dug several rifle-pits, built two stockades and a maga- 
zine, and a wing to surround the signal tower, which was raised to 
a height of nearly one hundred feet. The work was steady and 
severe ; but the location was good, and the command in good health 
and spirits during their stay. 

At Yellow Bluff an accident deprived the regiment of one of its 
most promising young officers, Lieut. Dennis H. Jones, of Company 
I. He had gone with a scouting party down the river, landed 
from the creek, and proceeded a short distance inland, to a house 
where boats were reported concealed. An alarm being raised that 
the rebels were approaching, caused by the firing of a party 
in search of cattle, they hurried to their boat, which had been 
drawn up on the marsh ; but, in the endeavor to launch it, a re- 
volver was accidentally discharged, the ball passing directly 
through the heart of Lieut. Jones, and instantly killing him. His 
body was sent to Jacksonville, and every effort was made to for- 
ward it in safety to his friends, but without success, and he was 
buried at Hilton Head. 

At Yellow Bluff, plenty of fresh beef was obtained from the sur- 
rounding country ; and scouting parties sent twenty or thirty miles 
Inland were absent two or three days. The officers were quartered 
in houses at the landing, and the men were made comfortable 
with lumber from the old buildings. 

March 11. The regiment was ordered to Pilatka, further up 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



25 



the St. Johns, leaving the Yellow-Bluff and Fort-Fribley detach- 
ments behind. The other troops at Pilatka were the Forty-seventh 
and Forty-eighth New York, James' Rhode-Island Battery, and 
some Massachusetts cavalry, all under Col. Barton. Col. Hartwell 
was put in charge of making the defences, which were a line of 
heavy earthworks surrounding the town. Three batteries were 
thrown up, guns were mounted in them, the wood was cut away 
to clear the view, and the place was put in a good state for defence. 
It was a beautiful spot. The orange groves near the camp were 
loaded with ripe oranges, rare flowers were blooming luxuriantly, 
the moss drapery that hung from the live oaks made comfortable 
beds, and pigs and chickens which had not deserted the town with 
its other residents, and cows straying loosely outside the lines, 
were put in requisition for the use of the troops. Here Chaplain 
Bowles, a colored clergyman from Ohio, joined the regiment. A 
skirmish or two with the pickets and several alarms occurred ; but 
the enemy kept usually out of sight. Capt. Hamilton made a 
daring excursion from Pilatka, with a rebel deserter, some forty 
miles into the interior, visiting the neighborhood of the rebel 
camps, and being absent several days. While the regiment was at 
Pilatka, Major Wales was inspector, Lieut. R. James was aide-de- 
camp with Gen. Ames, and Lieut. Bradish was post-ordnance 
officer. About this time the rebels, by means of torpedoes, de- 
stroyed two transports between Jacksonville and Pilatka, Major 
Wales being on board one of them, but escaping unhurt. 

Work was at all points growing lighter, and the men looked for- 
ward to easier times, when Pilatka was suddenly evacuated, and 
the regiment embarked on the propeller " Sentinel " for Folly 
Island. The " Sentinel " arrived off Yellow Bluff, April 17, and 
soon after the " Neptune," with part of the Eighth United-States 
Colored Troops, relieved the garrison there, and Company F at 
Fort Fribley. The four companies embarked, and the regiment 
steamed away in the direction of Charleston. The " Neptune " 
arrived at Pawnee Landing, April 18, and the " Sentinel," delayed 
by accidents to her rudder, April 20, finding Folly Island almost 
deserted, part of Alvord's Brigade embarking for Virginia, and 
only two detached regiments on duty at the post. 

Company F was ordered to Fort Green at Light-House Inlet ; 
Companies B, C, and K, occupied the camp of the Third New 
York at Pawnee Landing, and Company I that of Rockwell's Bat- 

4 



26 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



tery. On the arrival of the " Sentinel," Col. Hartwell established 
headquarters at the former camp of the Eighty-ninth New York, 
near the intrenched line above Pawnee Landing, to which camp 
Company I removed, April 24th. Major Wales reported for duty 
April 24, and was assigned to command of Fort Green. 

On the return trip from Florida, a slight difficulty occurred, re- 
sulting in the arrest of several men, who were afterward court- 
martialled and sentenced to Fort Clinch. A partial refusal to do 
duty had previously occurred among the detachment at Yellow 
Bluff, which had been checked without serious trouble. Only a 
few turbulent spirits were engaged in these demonstrations, which 
were discountenanced by nearly all the men. The question of the 
pay of the regiment was, however, becoming more serious every 
day, and constant watchfulness and care were required to prevent 
trouble. 

Company A having been ordered to join the garrison of Fort 
Green, the first of May found the regiment located as follows : 
A and F at Fort Green, B at Pawnee Landing, and the remaining 
seven companies at the headquarters camp near the intrenched 
line. Lieut. -Col. Fox was placed in command at Fort Green, and 
Major Wales was detailed with Gen. Schimmelpfennig as acting 
assistant inspector-general. Lieut. James did not report to the 
regiment at the conclusion of the Florida campaign ; but continued 
on the staff of Gen. Ames, and went with him to Virginia. 

The duty assigned to the regiment until May 8th was severe. 
On the night after the arrival of the first detachment, two-thirds 
were at once ordered to relieve the pickets, and for several weeks 
the details continued excessive. This was necessary from the with- 
drawal of the greater portion of the Tenth Corps from the Depart- 
ment of the South. 

May 8. The companies at Fort Green were relieved by a 
detachment of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts. As they were pre- 
paring to leave, Battery Lamar opened fire on Long Island, and 
they fired a parting salute at Secessionville, at long range, and with 
doubtful effect. 

May 12. Lieut. George F. McKay, formerly of the Thirteenth 
Massachusetts, and chief clerk of the First Corps, Army of the 
Potomac, joined the regiment. 

May 18. The regiment moved to Stono Inlet, a capital place 
for a summer camp. The company tents were pitched on a level 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



27 



plain of sand, the front not two hundred feet from high water. 
Just above them, at the foot of the bluff, were the tents of the 
company officers; and on the sand-hills above, commanding a view 
of the ocean from Charleston Bar to Edisto, and of Kiawah, Coles, 
Long, James, and other islands, were the headquarters tents. The 
water was good, and this location the most comfortable, as it was 
that longest occupied by the regiment on Folly Island. 

On the 21st of May, Companies D, E, G, and H, with ten men 
from Company B, and ten from Company I, and the One-hundred 
and-third New- York Volunteers, left camp at noon on an expedi- 
tion to James Island. They crossed from Pawnee Landing to 
Long Island, and before daylight on the 22d, passed in boats from 
the south end of Long to Tiger Island, and thence across the 
marsh at low-tide to James Island, arriving there just at dawn. 
The rebel pickets were driven, in a brisk skirmish, and passing 
along the easterly side of James, the expedition reached Folly, by 
way of Coles Island, at night. One man of the Fifty-fifth, Phineas 
Cost, of Company E, was wounded in the leg by a musket-ball. 
This reconnoissance was a great advantage to the men engaged in 
it, giving them a little experience of actual service. Long-range 
artillery they had become familiar with : this was their first 
field movement in front of the enemy. The expedition was under 
the immediate command of Major Morrison of the One-hundred- 
and-third New York. Col. Hartwell accompanied it as a volun- 
teer. Captains Nutt, Hamilton, Crane, and Goodwin, and Lieuts. 
Stimpson, Ladd, Boynton, Bean, and Bradish, went with their 
respective companies, — Capt. Nutt and Lieut. Stimpson receiving 
favorable mention in the report of the commanding officer. 

On the afternoon of May 23, a feint was made by the whole 
regiment, in steamers, up the Stono River, as far as Legareville, a 
small party landing there, and another on Battery Island. The 
gunboats " Paul Jones " and " Sonoma " passed up the river in 
advance of the transports, and exchanged shots with Battery 
Pringle. The expedition returned to Stono about midnight. 
May 29, the detail for the batteries at Pawnee Landing, previously 
from Company F, was equalized between Companies F, B, and A, 
and soon after withdrawn entirely, and a picket substituted. 

May 19, seemingly authentic intelligence came of the passage, 
by Congress, of the bill for the payment of the Fifty-fourth and 
Fifty-fifth Regiments. So direct was the information as to leave 



28 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



no doubt in the minds of the officers of its truth. Later news, 
however, brought no confirmation, but spoke of the matter as still 
uncertain. And this was only one of several disappointments, 
until nothing seemed worthy of credit, and the officers were un- 
willing to promise any thing to the men for the future, while the 
latter, at times, almost lost confidence in their commanders. To 
preserve a proper degree of order and discipline in a regiment 
thus situated was no light task. 

May 19. One hundred dollars was received from Miss Hallo- 
well, sister of the colonel, for the benefit of the sick and others in 
the regiment in absolute need of money. This lady was also in- 
strumental in extending aid to the families of many of the regi- 
ment during their long term of unpaid service. 

Orderly-Sergt. John F. Shorter, of Company D, having been 
commissioned as second lieutenant by Gov. Andrew, an application 
was this month made for his discharge for muster, which was re- 
fused by Gen. Hatch, on the ground of his African descent. This 
was believed to be contrary to the official opinion of the attorney- 
general, and the application for his muster was forwarded to the War 
Department. This application received from Gen. Schimmelpfennig 
a strong and earnest indorsement in its favor, but was unsuccess- 
ful. An additional difficulty thus arose in the management of 
the regiment, increasing the discontent of the enlisted men. Act- 
ing Regimental Quartermaster Garrison was this month relieved 
at his own request, and Lieut. John 0. Mowrey was detailed in 
his place. 

June 1, 1864. The regiment continued comfortably encamped 
at Stono Inlet, doing a small amount of picket and fatigue duty, 
drilling regularly, comparatively healthy, the officers subject to 
details for guards, boards of survey, and courts-martial, but to no 
excessive duty. June 6th, Col. Hartwell went to Hilton Head, 
to obtain, if possible, permission to visit Washington to attend to 
the pay question ; but permission was not granted, and he returned 
to the regiment. June 9th, Lieuts. Gannett and Stimpson left the 
regiment, their resignations having been accepted. Lieut. Gannett 
was afterward recommissioned and returned to the regiment, in 
Dec. 1864, to render most faithful and efficient service. 

Wednesday morning, June 15, a few men refused to fall in for 
fatigue duty ; but, by the prompt action of their officers, the muti- 
nous spirit was soon checked. 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



29 



While the regiment occupied their first camp near Pawnee 
Landing, a disturbance arose from Private Wallace Baker's forci- 
bly resisting Lieut. Ellsworth, an officer newly appointed from the 
Second Massachusetts Infantry. Baker was tried by a general 
court-martial, and sentenced to be shot for mutiny. He was ex- 
ecuted in presence of the troops on the island, June 18th, 1864, 
by a detail from his own regiment. This sad but necessary ex- 
ecution no doubt saved the lives of others by showing the inevi- 
table result of such a course ; but, had justice been done the 
enlisted men in regard to their position as soldiers, no such exam- 
ple would have been needed. 

During the latter part of June, 1864, information was received 
that the garrison of Charleston was much weakened by the with- 
drawal of troops to Virginia and elsewhere, and a general advance 
was determined on. Maj.-Gen. Foster, though unable from wounds 
to take the field, was present on Stono River, on his flagboat, in 
general direction. All the available troops in the department were 
assembled. Gen. Schimmelpfennig took charge of the force from 
Morris and Folly Islands, Gens. Saxton and Hatch of those on 
Johns Island, and Gen. Birney and Col. Montgomery of those that 
were to make a feint of an advance from the Edisto. The different 
bodies of troops did not co-operate as intended. Had they done 
so, in the opinion of rebel officers, Charleston would have fallen. 
As it was, Fort Johnson was at one time almost in the possession 
of the force from Morris Island, who gained the parapet, but were 
driven back or taken prisoners for want of reinforcement. 

The column to which the Fifty-fifth was attached was directed 
against Fort Lamar, a large earthwork forming the left of the rebel 
advanced line on James Island, and in a strong position on the 
bank of the creek dividing Long from James Island. The column 
consisted of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, Lieut.-Col. Fox, the 
One-hundred-and-third New York, Major Morrison, and the Thirty- 
third United-States Colored Troops, Major Trowbridge, with a sec- 
tion of the Rocket Battery, the whole under the immediate 
command of Col. Hartwell. On the night of the 30th, this force 
crossed in boats from Pawnee Landing to Long Island ; but the 
order for attacking the next day was countermanded, and the Fifty- 
fifth returned to Folly Island, and bivouacked behind the sand-hills. 
Soon after dark, on the evening of July 1st, the One-hundred-and 
third New York commenced crossing from Long to Tiger Island, 



30 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



at the point where the former expedition had crossed. The Thirty- 
third and Fifty-fifth meanwhile crossing from Folly to Long, and 
following the One-hundred-and-third. The crossing to Tiger 
Island was made in pontoon boats, with great care and silence, as 
it was within easy range of Lamar's guns. Before daybreak July 
2d, the whole force was formed in column among the low trees 
and bushes of Tiger Island, having made the landing on the 
marshy shore through mud from ankle to waist deep. Just at 
daybreak, the morning being quite misty, the advance across the 
marsh to James Island commenced in the following order: Co. D, 
Capt. Nutt, of the Fifty-fifth, deployed as skirmishers, with instruc- 
tions, after reaching the firm ground of James Island, to wheel to 
the left, and open communication with the force crossing from 
Cole's Island, and the three regiments crossing by the flank in 
the following order : One-hundred-and third, Thirty-third, Fifty- 
fifth ; the One-hundred-and-third to take the right on reaching 
the main island, the Thirty-third to advance on their left, and the 
Fifty-fifth to follow as reserve on the centre. The Fifty-fifth 
crossed, was halted on reaching firm ground, and formed in close 
column by company, and moved forward across a field somewhat 
obstructed by old abatis. Meanwhile the head of the column had 
unexpectedly encountered a? section of artillery in a small field- 
work supported by a squad of cavalry and infantry, and in the 
sudden fire of musketry and grape had met a decided check. The 
Fifty-fifth deployed into line, and advancing, under a severe fire, 
across the road which the battery covered, charged and captured 
two twelve-pounder Napoleon guns, the limbers of which were 
driven off with the supporting cavalry. Several shells were left 
by the gunners in their retreat, and the guns were at once taken 
in charge by Company F, and turned on the flying rebels. It is 
but justice to the Thirty-third to state that their color-bearer with 
a few men pressed on after the Fifty-fifth and was on the ground 
only a short distance in their rear, and that their regiment was 
armed with nearly worthless old Austrian rifles, which were soon 
after condemned. The line of the Fifty-fifth was at once reformed, 
and advanced to a heavy hedge, bank, and ditch beyond the field- 
work captured. By this time, however, the Battery Lamar and the 
whole rebel line were thoroughly aroused ; and as the only hope of 
capture was in surprising the garrison, the advance was stopped 
by orders signalled from Gen. Schimmelpfennig. The work of 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



31 



strengthening the position occupied was hurried forward, under a 
severe cannonade from the enemy's whole line, mounting some 
twenty to thirty heavy guns, which continued with brief intervals 
during the entire day, although with little effect. The casualties 
of the Fift} r -nfth in this affair were as follows: Killed, — enlisted 
men, seven. Mortally wounded, — enlisted men, two. Wounded, 
— commissioned officers, two ; Capt. Goodwin, severely, and Capt. 
Thurber, slightly ; enlisted men, seventeen, one of whom after- 
ward died at Beaufort. The loss fell upon the companies as fol- 
lows : — Killed or died from wounds, — Co. A, one ; Co. B, one ; 
Co. C, three ; Co. I, two ; Co. K, three. Wounded : Co. A, two ; 
Co. B, one ; Co. E, two ; Co. F, two ; Co. G, one ; Co. H, one ; 
Co. I, three ; Co. K, four. The loss in the other regiments is not 
remembered ; but it did not differ very greatly in proportion to the 
numbers engaged. During and after the fight the wounded were 
carried back by the stretcher corps, under Asst.-Surgeon Wilder, 
to Tiger Island, and thence by boats to the field hospital on Long 
Island, under a severe fire from Battery Lamar, so accurate that 
a fragment of a shell broke the stretcher on which Capt. Goodwin 
was lying, just missing his head. It was thought a needless expos- 
ure, however, to bury the dead under such a fire, and they were 
left until night. Before midnight the column received orders to 
fall back toward Coles Island, and join the force which had crossed 
at that point, with whom communication had been kept up through 
Capt. Nutt's skirmishers ; and the movement was so rapidly 
executed that the dead were left where they fell. An effort made 
to recover their bodies the next day failed. How their remains 
were treated by the rebels will appear hereafter. 

By daylight, Col. Hartwell's command had united with that of 
Col. Heine, and formed behind rifle-pits thrown up by civilian 
employes of the Quartermaster's Department. Here the troops 
remained, at one time reinforced by a second line of rifle-pits in 
their rear, occupied by Col. Montgomery's troops, and favored with 
an occasional shell from Lamar and Pringle until the evening of 
July 10. Meanwhile the gunboats, mortar schooners, and moni- 
tors shelled Fort Pringle with some effect ; the attacks on Fort 
Johnson, and the advance on John's Island failed, and the enemy 
were so reinforced that further attempts were useless, and crossing 
the Coles-Island Bridge, the Fifty-fifth, with the remainder of Gen. 
Schimmelpfennig's command, returned to their camps on Folly and 



32 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



Morris Islands. While holding the line of rifle-pits, the troops 
suffered greatly from heat, several cases of severe sunstroke occur- 
ring. The picket line also, composed in part of raw recruits from 
German regiments, was at times quite unsteady, and once became 
so bewildered as to fire directly into the troops in their rear, killing 
Private Dallas Scott, of Co. G. In the first affair of July 2, several 
prisoners and horses were captured, and some of the enemy's 
pickets killed by the advance skirmishers. 

By July 13, the regiment was once more settled in camp, all the 
wounded needing further treatment having been sent to general 
hospitals at Beaufort. 

During the months of June and July, the garrison of Fort No. 
2, at the south end of Long Island and a portion of the picket were 
detailed from the Fifty-fifth. During the action on James Island 
the garrison was from Company G chiefly, under Capt. Hamilton, 
though a portion of that company was on James Island with the 
regiment. The fort was also engaged much of the time with the 
rebel batteries, being furnished with gunners from Company F. 
Parts of other companies were also detached on picket at the cross- 
ing to Tiger Island, so that it would be difficult to say exactly how 
many of each were in the charge. After the return to Folly 
Island, the captured guns were, by order of the general command- 
ing, placed in front of the headquarters of the Fifty-fifth, where 
they remained for a long time as trophies. 

July 13. Col. Hartwell was assigned to the command of the 
Post of Folly Island, and Adjt. Perry having been previously de- 
tached as post adjutant, Lieut. McKay was appointed adjutant of 
the regiment. Col. Hartwell did not again return to command of 
the regiment until it was ordered home for muster out, being con- 
stantly in command of post or brigade. Lieut. Perry was after- 
wards transferred from the post to the staff of Gen. Hatch, and 
appointed captain and assistant-adjutant-general volunteers. 

July 26 to 28. One hundred and fifty men, under Capt. Soule, 
formed part of an expedition to Legareville, on John's Island, after 
bricks and lumber. They encountered no force of the enemy, but 
after their return, a party of rebel cavalry set fire to and destroyed 
all the remaining houses, some of them fine ones, to prevent us 
from further use of them. The burning was a splendid sight, 
viewed from the headquarters of the Fifty-fifth at night. 

After the James-Island expedition, there was an almost daily 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



33 



exchange of shots between the thirty- pounder rifled Parrotts in 
Fort No. 2, Long Island, garrisoned by men from the Fifty-fifth, 
and the rifled guns in Battery Lamar ; but for many weeks no cas- 
ualties occurred. 

The small number of troops at the post, at this time, and the 
length of the line, made the duty for both officers and men exceed- 
ingly severe, and from this and the exposure on James Island 
much sickness resulted. 

(On the 13th and 14th of July, two partial combinations among 
the enlisted men to refuse duty took place ; but, by prompt action 
on the part of company officers, and the arrest of one or two of 
the leading spirits, they were checked at the outset. At about 
this time also, the regiment was formed on the beach, before 
reveille roll-call, by some of the non-commissioned officers, with 
the intention of demanding an explanation from the officers. It is 
doubtful, however, if the men as a body realized the mutinous 
tendency of their action at first, for a few plain words caused them 
at once to disperse to the company streets for roll-call. And here 
let it be observed that the men most prominent in these troubles 
were not, as a general thing, those whose families were suffering 
from delay of payment, but discontented and unruly spirits, who 
were anxious to leave the service any way ; or those who expected 
to gain the race at one bound ; or, worse than all, really bad men, 
enemies to all order and restraint. There were exceptions to these, 
of course ; but they were few, the best men being willing to wait 
and be guided by their officers, who, they believed, had their true 
interest at heart. 

The discharges of Sergts. Trotter, Shorter, and Dupree were this 
month returned disapproved from department headquarters, as 
" no law existed for their muster as commissioned officers." In- 
formation was received about this time, that a definite settlement 
of the pay question had been made by Congress, and that the pay- 
master only waited for funds. It was judged best, however, after 
so many disappointments, to say nothing to the regiment until the 
arrival of official information. Meanwhile pay-rolls and musters 
were made as they had been at the proper season. 

July 20. Co. H, Capt. W. D. Crane, was ordered to garrison 
Fort Delafield, the chief earthwork at Stono Inlet. The detach- 
ment of Company F, which had been with Capt. Hamilton at Long 
Island as gunners, was relieved. Private Beverly Bell, of Com- 



34 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



pany B, was drowned in July, in Folly River, by the overturning 
of the despatch boat from Long Island in a squall. The rest of 
the crew were rescued by a passing boat. 

About Aug. 1, Capt. Gordon resigned and was discharged, on 
account of ill health. Nearly at the same time, Capt. Nutt, 
Lieuts. Ellsworth and Marsh (sick), and Capt. Goodwin (wounded) 
went North, leaving the regiment short of officers. Lieut. Marsh 
resigned, and did not return. 

Saturday, Aug. 1, an expedition under Capt. Thurber, with Com- 
pany F, started for Legareville, while another party was sent to 
Kiawah to assist union officers, said to be near our lines, trying to 
escape from the rebels. If there were such, however, they failed 
to communicate with us. The transfer of troops from the north- 
ern district to other portions of the department made the duty of 
the regiment at this time very severe, the men going on in turn 
five days out of eight. The Sunday morning inspections were 
omitted for want of men. Dress-parades took place perhaps twice 
in a week. Three or four hours of company-drill were all that 
could be obtained, and battalion-drills were impossible. 

Aug. 7. Company B was detached as provost guard at Stono 
Landing, and Capt. Grant was detailed as asst.-provost-marshal. 

Aug. 11. Enough men could be mustered for battalion-drill. 
Only three regiments now occupied the Post of Folly Island, which 
included Folly, Coles, and Long Islands ; namely, the Fifty-fifth 
Massachusetts, Fifty-fourth New York, and Thirty-third LTnited- 
States Colored Troops. The camps on Folly Island were at the 
south end, communication being kept with the garrison at Fort 
Green by pickets. 

Aug. 19. Major Wales, who had been relieved from staff duty, 
and returned to the regiment Aug. 1, was ordered to the command 
of Long Island, and Company G was, at the same time, to report 
to Capt. Hamilton, as garrison of Fort No. 2. During the month 
of August, squads from the different companies were drilled in the 
artillery manual with the captured pieces, either by their own 
officers or the non-commissioned officers of Company F. 

The question of the pay of the regiment now began to assume a 
definite shape. Aug. 22, after various rumors, orders were received 
from the War Department, announcing that the pay of all colored 
troops was to be the same as that of all other volunteers, from Jan. 
1, 1864, and providing for payment on the same basis, from date of 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



35 



enlistment, of all enlisted previous to that date who were free " on 
or before April 21, 1861," to which latter fact each man was re- 
quired to make oath. No form of oath was prescribed ; but against 
the names of those who should so swear were to be placed upon 
the pay-roll the words, " Free on or before April 21, 1861," which 
would entitle the soldier to his full pay from enlistment. What 
motives of policy led to the adoption of this provision were not 
known to the regiment. It affected few in the Fifty-fifth, for the 
only instruction given to the men was, that one who was not actu- 
ally held as a slave on the date specified was perfectly justified in 
calling himself a free man. Beyond this each was left to his own 
judgment. This proviso was unjust in the extreme to regiments 
that had enlisted like the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth, as part of the 
regular quota of the State, and only served to show how strong 
was the hold of prejudice upon the country, and how slowly the 
situation was appreciated by many of even the most loyal men. 

To an outside observer all trouble from the pay question would 
now seem ended. Such, however, was not the case. So many 
times had the men been deceived, intentionally by their enemies, 
unintentionally by their friends, that they feared some deception, 
some few going so far even as to consider the whole thing a trap 
to ascertain who had been held as slaves, in order to return them 
to their masters at the close of the war. The non-commissioned 
officers of the regiment were called up, after the papers were pre- 
pared, and the matter was explained to them. An explanation was 
also made to the regiment on parade, and the men were told that 
if any of them still doubted, all reasonable and proper questions 
would be answered by their officers. The companies were then 
called upon to take oath before the regimental commander. It was 
a time of much anxiety. In no two companies was the feeling the 
same : to no two could the case be presented in exactly the same 
way. Several men, natives of Massachusetts who had been always 
free, felt it as a deep disgrace that such an oath should be required 
of them, and only after full consideration yielded for the benefit 
of their comrades. Only a few men, mostly from one company, 
held out and refused to take the oath, and they not from any scru- 
ples of conscience. They had cause to regret it afterward, in the 
trouble they had about their pay. Only two or three acknowledged 
having been slaves. That others were so held, there was not much 
doubt ; but their officers were not required to go behind the oath, 



36 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



and how far the men were guilty of false swearing would be 
rather a nice question. It may have been that all these men had a 
right to call themselves " free," whatever the slave-holders said, — 
free before God, if not before man. If all army oaths had been as 
just in intention, the government and morality would have been the 
gainers. 

Aug. 23, completed the preparation of the rolls as required by 
the act of Congress, and they were made up as rapidly as possible 
for the muster of Aug. 31, with a reasonable certainty that on 
them the regiment would be paid in full. 

Aug. 31. The regiment was mustered for pay, confidently expect- 
ing to receive, before the next month expired, the benefits which 
had heretofore failed to follow this ceremony. The rolls were 
thoroughly examined at headquarters during the afternoon and 
evening of the day of muster, and were forwarded to Washington 
and Hilton Head, Sept. 1, that there might be no possible delay, for 
which the officers should be responsible, in the payment. 

Sept. 15. The regiment was thoroughly inspected by Capt. Dan- 
ielson, of the Thirty-third United-States Colored Troops, Acting 
Post Inspector, in compliance with the request made for such an 
inspection. The arms, equipments, and clothing of the regiment 
were inspected, and the quarters, kitchens, camp, and company 
and regimental books were very thoroughly examined. The report 
of this inspection was gratifying. 

Information was received, Aug. 15, that Sergts. Trotter, Dupree, 
and Phoenix, who had received furloughs for thirty days and started 
for the north, had been paid in full on the regimental rolls, while 
awaiting transportation at Hilton Head. This information came 
in letters from the sergeants themselves to the regiment, and was 
communicated to the men both officially and unofficially, setting at 
rest for ever the question which had so long been so serious in 
connection with every thing relating to the command. 

Sept. 29. Major Lockwood, Paymaster, arrived at post head- 
quarters, having the previous day paid off the Fifty-fourth Massa- 
chusetts. He had only funds for a partial payment of the Fifty- 
fifth, until he should receive more by the steamer " Arago." 

Sept. 30. The non-commissioned staff and Company B were paid 
in full to Aug. 31. The inspection for this month showed decided 
improvement in the arms, equipments, and bearing of the men. 

Sunday, Oct. 2, the church had a gala day. A melodeon was 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



37 



borrowed from the post sutler. Several strangers, both men and 
women, were present from the contraband camp, so called; the 
glee club acted as a choir, and the chapel tent was filled to over- 
flowing ; good order and decorum prevailed, both inside the tent 
and out. 

Oct. 7. The payment of the regiment to Aug. 31 was com- 
pleted, having occupied three days. Thus the government did 
tardy justice to the colored troops, after retaining for a year and a 
half, in full service as soldiers, two regiments, regularly enlisted 
in the Free States as part of the quota of Massachusetts, under the 
same authority as her other regiments. Faithfully those regiments 
worked, fought, suffered, and died. Nobly they maintained their 
character as men, their position as soldiers. Well may a few in- 
discretions and hasty acts be overlooked among two thousand men, 
many of them uneducated, taken from an oppressed race, patiently 
awaiting justice from lukewarm friends, under fire of an enemy's 
guns. Great was the relief experienced by the officers in the pay- 
ment of the regiment. It was like the loosening of a cord, long 
drawn to extreme tension. Fearing and watching lest, by some 
fatal mischance, the record of the regiment might be ruined, the last 
six months had been months of continuous wear upon their minds. 
The future now seemed easy. A command that had passed 
through such an ordeal could easily be controlled to the end. 

In connection with the payment of the regiment, several facts 
are worthy of record. It had been often asserted by their enemies 
that the receipt of money by the men would make little difference 
to their families ; that the black man was naturally improvident, 
and would send to his family or lay up but little. There was sent 
home by the enlisted men, by the Adams Express alone, the 
amount of over $60,000 ; two companies, F and K, sending over 
83,000 and 17,000 respectively. This was in addition to the 
amounts sent by mail or otherwise invested. 

For many months the sutler had sold to the men on credit ; he 
had also lent to many of the men, from time to time, without secu- 
rity, and every officer had probably done the same. It is not 
known that in a single case any man present with the regiment 
failed to repay his debts, often entirely forgotten by the lender ; 
and the sutler's accounts were settled promptly and in full. Nearly 
eleven hundred dollars were raised by the men, without aid or 
suggestion from the officers, to supply the band and drum corps 



38 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



with new instruments. In considering all this, it must also be 
taken into account, that the heavy fatigue duty and the transfer 
from Newbern had caused unusual amounts of clothing to be 
drawn, to lessen the balance due the men. 

Oct. 7. The troops on Folly Island were reviewed by Gen. 
Schimmelpfennig, who succeeded Gen. Saxton in the command 
of the district. 

Oct. 12. The regiment, with all the troops on Folly Island, was 
tnrned out under arms and in great haste at midnight, by an alarm 
from the gunboat " McDonough, 7 ' stationed in Stono River. Heavy 
guns and musketry were heard for a few moments, and an imme- 
diate attack seemed certain. Soon all was quiet however, and, 
after remaining under arms for an hour, an order from post head- 
quarters dismissed the troops to quarters. A boat sent to the gun- 
boat had found the alarm to be simply a practice-drill, of which, 
singularly enough, no information had been given to the post com- 
mander. 

Oct. 12. Ten recruits were received, apparently good men. 
They were assigned to Companies C and F, and placed on squad- 
drill under a sergeant. 

Oct. 15. Capt. Nutt, of Company D, relieved Major Wales in 
command at Long Island, Major Wales rejoining the regiment for 
the purpose of forwarding his resignation. Oct. 16, the regiment 
was thoroughly inspected by Col. Hartwell, as post commander. 
Frequent brigade-drills were held this month. 

Soon after the establishment of the camp at Stono, an arrange- 
ment had been made with the sutler for an officer's mess. It 
proved a social and pleasant institution, and continued until the 
Broad River Expedition, in Nov. 1864. It was afterward revived 
for a short time on James Island, in the spring of 1865. 

Oct. 24. An expedition of one hundred men from the Fifty- 
fifth Massachusetts, and Thirty-third United-States Colored Troops, 
was sent to Legareville, under Major Wales, to procure bricks for 
repairing the bakery ovens. They returned the next day having 
met no opposition, and having obtained by hard labor five hundred 
second-hand bricks, at a cost, as estimated by Capt. dishing, 
assistant-quartermaster, of $2.50 per brick, not including the ordi- 
nary expenses of the troops sent out. 

Oct. 26. A large detail was furnished the Medical Department, 
to prepare the regimental hospital for the winter. After several 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 39 

days' hard labor, and delay by a gale which blew down one newly 
erected tent, the hospitals were placed in satisfactory condition. 

Oct. 23. The headquarters guard, detailed from the regiment 
by Gen. Schimmelpfennig, was relieved by Gen. Scammon, who 
succeeded in command of the district. Forty-eight recruits were 
received on the same date. They had been originally enlisted for 
the Fifty-fourth Regiment ; but, that organization being full, were 
transferred, by order of Maj.-Gen. Foster, to the Fifty-fifth. They 
were at once divided into squads for drill. Sergts. Mitchell, of 
Company F, and Dupree, of Company G, being detailed to assist 
Sergt. Jones, of Company D, in that duty. These recruits were 
mostly good men, though nearly half were enlisted for one year 
only. They were the last recruits received who were of any value 
except to count on the rolls. 

Oct. 31. A thorough inspection of the regiment was this day 
made, revealing steady improvement. 

Nov. 7. A disturbance among some members of the band and 
drum corps, who had run guard after taps, was prevented by the 
coolness and soldierly conduct of Corp. Andy Smith, Company B, 
of the provost guard. It resulted in the reduction of both the 
principal musicians. 

Nov. 8. An inspection of worthless ordnance and quarter- 
master's stores, by Capt. Sampson, acting assistant-inspector-gene- 
ral, relieved company commanders from the necessity of retaining 
them longer on the rolls. 

Nov. 11. Private William Barden, Company B, a prisoner 
awaiting sentence, was shot by one of the provost guard, while on 
a working party, for resisting the guard. Barden died in the post 
hospital the same night. 

Nov. 15. The regiment was thoroughly inspected by the district 
inspector, whose report was very creditable to the command. 

Nov. 18. Gen. Hatch, who had relieved Gen. Potter, Gen. Scam- 
mon's successor, in command of the district, visited the camp 
while the regiment was on drill. The same day, the regimental 
prize medal for the best shot, paid for by an appropriation of the 
post council, and made in Boston after a design by Major Wales, 
was received. 

The weather was now growing cool, heavy gales and cold storms 
from the north were frequent, and it was with difficulty that fuel 
could be obtained. The only timber on the island was above Paw- 



40 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



nee Landing, and most of the fuel had to be hauled thence by 
teams or brought from the neighboring islands. 

Nov. 21. Major Wales's resignation was returned to the regi- 
ment, approved, and he left for the North by the next boat. In him 
the regiment lost an energetic officer, though, during most of his 
connection with it as a field officer, he had been on detached ser- 
vice. Capt. Nutt, senior captain, was promoted to be major in his 
place. 4 

Nov. 23. Confidential instructions were received from Gen. 
Hatch, to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and to make all 
needful preparations as quietly as possible, issuing necessary cloth- 
ing, and keeping constantly on hand three days' cooked rations. 

Nov. 24. The Thanksgiving appointed by the President was duly 
observed in camp by services in the morning, a dress-parade and 
review, and games and other festivities in the afternoon. 

Nov. 25. Companies D and E, from Long Island, and B, from pro- 
vost-guard, reported to the regiment for duty. Nov. 26, the regiment 
received marching orders, and on Sunday morning, Nov. 27, em- 
barked with five days' cooked rations, one hundred and forty rounds 
of cartridges per man, and shelter tents and blankets ; six compa- 
nies on the steamer " Mary Boardman," and two on the steamer 
" Frazer." Company H remained in Fort Delafield, and Company 
G, at Battery No. 2, Long Island. The destination of the command, 
contained in sealed orders to be opened after crossing Stono Bar, 
proved to be Hilton Head, to report to Brig.-Gen. Hatch, on 
steamer " Cosmopolitan." 

Nov. 28. The regiment arrived at Hilton Head, at two, a.m., but 
found no one to report to, until Col. Hartwell, who had just re- 
turned from home-leave, came on board at daylight, with orders 
for the " Boardman" to take the two companies from the " Fra- 
zer," and proceed to Parry's Island to coal. During the night of 
the 28th, the steamer was fog-bound in Beaufort River, but moved 
slowly down at sunrise. Col. Hartwell again came alongside in 
a tug. He had been appointed to command a brigade, consisting 
of the Fifty-fifth and Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, and the One hun- 
dred-and-second and Twenty-sixth United-States Colored Troops. 
With him came Major Nutt, who had been mustered at Hilton 
Head, and Capts. Soule and Crane, who were at Hilton Head on 
a few days' leave. Capt. Crane's company having been left at 
Folly Island, he took a place as aid on Col. Hartwell's staff. Adjt. 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



41 



McKay was detailed as acting assistant-adjutant-general of the 
brigade, and Lieut. J. C. Hall was appointed acting adjutant of the 
regiment. Lieut. Hill, an officer just promoted from the Fourth 
Massachusetts Cavalry, also reported to Col. Hartwell, for staff 
duty. 

During the night of Nov. 28, the " Mary Boardman " steamed 
slowly up Broad River, in accordance with instructions from Col. 
Hartwell, following the advanced transports, delayed often by the 
fog, and sounding carefully all the way. A lifting of the fog 
showed the " Cosmopolitan," loaded with troops, fast aground, with 
a falling tide, on a shoal half a mile to the left. Some of the boats 
in tow of the " Boardman " were sent to l;er assistance. Further 
up the river a gunboat was passed in the same condition. At 
three and a quarter, p.m., Nov. 29, the "Boardman" grounded 
in the creek about a fourth of a mile below Boyd's Landing, where 
a landing had been effected without opposition, under cover of the 
gunboats, and where artillery, stores, and troops were being rap- 
idly disembarked, while the engineers were constructing temporary 
wharfs as speedily as possible. By tugs which came alongside, the 
regiment was at once landed on the muddy bank, near Col. Boyd's 
deserted mansion, and bivouacked for the night, preparatory to the 
expected advance toward the Charleston and Savannah Railroad at 
daybreak. 

HONEY HILL. 

At dusk on the evening of Nov. 29, the regiment debarked with 
some trouble at " Boyd's Neck," a plantation jutting into the 
marshes which border Broad River, and bivouacked for the night 
in an old cotton-field, whose tall, dried grasses afforded excellent 
bedding. Just after sunrise the next morning, the troops com- 
posing the expedition moved out along the plantation road, towards 
the village of Graham ville ; the first brigade, composed of the 
Fifty-sixth and One - hundred-and-twenty-seventh New - York, 
Twenty-fifth Ohio, Thirty-fifth United-States, and a battery 
of the Third Rhode-Island Artillery, under Gen. Potter, having 
the advance, and the second brigade, under Col. Hartwell, of 
the Fifty-fifth, following. Only the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth 
Massachusetts of this brigade marched with the column, the One- 
hundred-and-second and Twenty-sixth United-States being sent 

6 



42 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



in another direction, and rejoining the brigade late in the after- 
noon. Broken bridges delayed the march, and at noon the advance 
had only reached a small, white church, at a cross-roads some 
three miles from the landing. Here the enemy's skirmishers were 
encountered, supported by a piece of artillery, which fell back 
slowly, on the Grahamville road. When the firing commenced, the 
Fifty-fifth were halted in a hollow by a brook-side, but were soon 
ordered forward over the ground where the first dead were lying, 
and formed in line in a field at the left of the road. The advance 
had also deployed, and charged cheering through the woods in 
front, from which the rebels were easily driven with slight loss. 
Returning to the road, and moving forward, the brigade was 
formed in column in the next open field at the right, and advanced 
half a mile, while the artillery followed the road. The rebels had 
set fire to the grass, so that the pioneer corps were here advanced 
in front of the column as it marched, to beat out the flames. On a 
slight slope, at the further end of the field, the column was halted 
for half an hour, under the full heat of a burning sun. In the 
mean. while, the first brigade had come upon the enemy's intrench- 
ments, situated on a bluff at the further side of a small swampy 
creek, which crossed the main road just as it turned sharply to the 
left. The surrounding woods were thickly grown with underbrush, 
so that infantry movements were very much impeded, and artillery 
could not be used except in the roadway. Here the first brigade 
was deployed obliquely to the left, and two pieces of artillery 
posted at the corner of a branch road, which led to the right at 
right angles, just before the bend in the main road. This position 
proved to be commanded by the rebel sharpshooters and artillery, 
and the gunners suffered severely. Regiment after regiment was 
advanced to support this section, and to feel the enemy's works ; 
but all were driven back to places of partial shelter. As the firing 
at the front grew heavier, the Fifty-fifth and Fifty-fourth Massachu- 
setts had been moved to the right, advanced somewhat, and formed 
in double column in the thick woods ; when they were hurried for- 
ward and ordered by the commanding general to take the flank, at 
double-quick, along the road to the front. As the road was filled 
with artillery wagons, the files of the regiment were very much 
broken up in this movement ; and, when it reached the branch 
road, directly in front of the artillery, the leading company was 
filed to the right, and brought to quick time to close up the rear, 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



43 



and the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts filed to the left, and formed " on 
the right by file into line." As soon as the regiment had nearly 
cleared the road, it was ordered to move by the left flank. An 
advance in line was made for a short distance ; but the severe fire 
of the enemy's musketry and artillery compelled the second brig- 
ade, now at the front, to withdraw, when orders to form double 
column on the centre were given. The three right companies (K, 
I, and E) did not receive the last order, however, and advanced, 
under Lieut.-Col. Fox and Major Nutt, into the woods at the right 
of the road. The remaining five companies, in double column, 
were led up the road in a desperate charge. The only approach 
leading to the rebel batteries and intrenchments, was the nar- 
row cutting through which the road crossed the swamp, and in 
this defile the companies were subjected to a concentrated fire of 
artillery and infantry from the enemy's breastworks, at a distance 
of less than a hundred yards. The result could not long be left 
in doubt ; and, although the regiment twice rallied and returned 
to the charge, it finally fell back in disorder, and reformed in line 
under cover of the woods. In their last charge, Capt. Crane, who 
was at the head of the column, riding at Col. Hartwell's side, .was 
struck in the forehead by a canister ball and instantly killed ; 
Lieut. Boynton, his college friend and classmate, was struck in the 
leg by a bullet, fell forward, rose again, was again struck, and sank 
dead in the road-side stream. Col. Hartwell's horse was killed by 
a charge of canister, and the colonel himself, wounded in the hand 
in the first part of the action, fell under his horse. From this 
perilous position he was rescued by the gallantry of Lieut. Ells- 
worth, who sprang back as the regiment retreated, and, aided by 
two of the men, dragged him from under his horse, and into a 
place of safety. One of the men was hit, and Col. Hartwell twice 
wounded, as they were bearing him off. Lieut. Hill, Col. Hart- 
well's aide, was blown from his horse by the concussion of a shell 
and taken to the rear ; but he soon returned to the field. Color- 
Sergt. Robert King, a brave, handsome lad of eighteen, was blown 
to pieces by the explosion of a shell ; but the colors were snatched 
from his hand, and sustained by Corp. Andy Smith. The loss in 
these charges was heavy, as in each one the enemy fired grape and 
canister at short range. In the mean time Companies K, E, and I 
had advanced in line half a mile into the woods, and connecting 
with the Twenty-fifth Ohio on the right, remained in position at 



44 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



the edge of a stream for about half an hour, lying down quietly 
under fire. The regiments on the right fired continuously, and 
attracted to themselves a large share of the rebel fire, which was 
governed entirely by the sound, as the two forces, scarcely a hun- 
dred yards apart, could only see the rising smoke of their oppo- 
nents' guns, above the thick and luxuriant undergrowth of the 
swamp. Col. Fox at this time returned to the left, to find the 
other companies of the regiment, with whom he remained until 
the end of the afternoon. Finding himself separated from the rest 
of the regiment and brigade, unable to get orders from any quarter, 
unable to see the rebels in front, and entirely ignorant of the rela- 
tive position of the forces, Major Nutt finally withdrew the three 
companies to the shelter of a bank running parallel with the branch 
road, and near the corner now occupied by two boat howitzers on 
wheels, in place of the field-pieces from which all the officers and 
nearly every gunner had been shot down. In this important and 
advanced angle of our lines these companies lay until after dark. 
Shortly before dusk, they were joined by the other companies, under 
Col. Fox. During the afternoon, the infantry fire between the two 
lines, still invisible to each other, but at times only fifty yards apart, 
was often very hot, and Capt. Woodward was shot through the 
leg, Lieut. Hall through the body, and Capt. Soule slightly in the 
arm. Not long after dark, the Fifty-fifth was silently withdrawn, 
and joined the column in retreat. Before reaching the white 
church, where the battle had commenced, the regiment had been 
detailed in small squads to bear off the wounded, and reached 
camp at Boyd's Neck in small parties late at night. The next 
morning's roll-call revealed a loss, in killed and wounded, of half 
the officers and a third of the enlisted men engaged. 

At sunrise, on the morning of Dec. 1, the Fifty-fifth again 
marched to the front, reporting to Gen. Hatch, at the Coosawhat- 
chie road, some two miles from the landing. The brigade was 
re-organized under the command of Col. Silliman, of the Twenty- 
sixth United-States Colored Troops, whose regiment had landed 
late the night previous. After considerable countermarching, the 
Fifty-fifth was placed in position on the right of the Grahamville 
road in the woods, their front covered by a small, swampy stream. 
On their right was the One-hundred-and-second United-States Col- 
ored Troops, on their left, across the road, the naval brigade, with 
a battery of seven howitzers under Com. Preble. Here the troops 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



45 



rested for the night on their arms. Dec. 2. The construction of 
breastworks commenced. The ground occupied by the Fifty-fifth 
was too wet for much digging ; but, by felling trees and piling up 
logs, a respectable cover was obtained before night. During the day, 
the rebels shelled the centre of Gen. Hatch's lines with a section of 
artillery, brought up under cover of the woods ; but they made no 
other demonstration. The picket lines, however, were annoyed at 
night by scattered cavalry ; and so much firing resulted that the or- 
der was given to advance the pickets in search of the enemy in 
all cases of firing without cause, which was effectual in checking 
the disturbance. Dec. 3. Two regiments, with a section of artil- 
lery, sent out on the road from the landing, found the enemy in 
force and returned. Rations had been short for a day or two ; but 
fresh meat, foraged by the cavalry, was now issued. At noon, 
Dec. 5, six companies of the Fifty-fifth, with two howitzers from 
the Naval Brigade, advanced about a mile on the Grahamville 
road. The movement was intended as a feint ; and finding the 
rebels in small force at the church, and exchanging shots Avith 
them, the detachment returned to camp, with one man wounded 
in the foot. 

Dec. 6. The troops holding the extended line of works around 
the cross-roads, were gradually and quietly withdrawn, and ex- 
tended until, on relieving the pickets at night, the rifle-pits were 
occupied only by the Fifty-fifth, which formed scarcely more than 
a skirmish line, supported by a company of cavalry and a section 
of artillery. At daybreak they fell back to the landing, to find that 
all the troops had embarked on board transports, and that only 
the commissary and quartermaster's stores, with a few surgeons 
and some sick and wounded men remained. 

The Fifty-fifth, with a section of New- York artillery, the cavalry 
battalion and a detachment of engineers, remained at Boyd's Land- 
ing, to fortify and hold the place, supported by the gunboat " Pon- 
tiac," Capt. Luce. Two rifled howitzers from the navy, and a 
twelve-pounder captured by Gen. Potter, were left, and manned 
from Company F. Dec. 7. Work was commenced on the line 
laid out by the engineers, consisting of a redoubt for fourteen 
guns on the right, one on the left and one in the centre for 
three guns each, all connected by a line of rifle-pits. This line 
was about half a mile in length. Dec. 12. The detachment of 
engineers was withdrawn to Deveaux's Neck, and the work laid 



46 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



out by them ended. It was too long to be built or guarded 
by the force left, so situated that the gunboat could give little aid, 
while the woods were so near as to make part of it untenable if 
attacked. A new line, about half-way between the first and the 
landing, was commenced, and rapidly pushed forward to comple- 
tion. On the 8th of December, the horse of a cavalry vidette was 
shot from the woods ; and it was found necessary to withdraw the 
cavalry, and place infantry pickets in the place during the day, 
pushing forward the cavalry at night. Dec. 9. The New-York 
battery was ordered to Deveaux's Neck. Dec. 12. A tug, arriv- 
ing with stores, brought the sad intelligence of the death of Lieut. 
Hill, serving on Col. Silliman's staff at Deveaux's Neck. He .was 
mortally wounded while fearlessly riding on the skirmish line. 
Though he had held his commission in the regiment but a short 
time, he had been associated with the regiment while a sergeant of 
the Fourth Cavalry, and was respected by all. Adjt. McKay was 
also wounded at the same time, and went North on furlough. 

Until Jan. 1, 1865, the regiment remained at Boyd's Landing. 
The men built huts, and made themselves as comfortable as possi- 
ble in the absence of tents and baggage. The twelve-pounder was 
placed in position on the Grahamville road, and a howitzer on 
each flank. Some beef cattle had been left behind by the commis- 
sary, and more were driven in by the cavalry. A party under Lieut. 
Ellsworth drove in the rebel pickets, and captured some fresh beef, 
so that there was no actual want of food. The officers of the gun- 
boat were very accommodating, and assisted the troops as much as 
they were able, receiving fresh beef in return. Occasionally shots 
were exchanged with the rebel pickets, and every day or two the 
gunboat shelled the woods inland. 

Since the first week in December, heavy firing had been often 
heard in the direction of Savannah, which was supposed to indi- 
cate the advance of Sherman. 

On the 14th of December, Capt. Grant rejoined the regiment 
from detached duty on Folly Island ; and Lieuts. Carter and Mu- 
tell, newly appointed, reported for duty. 

Dec. 22. News was received of the capture of Fort McAllister, 
on the Ogechee, by Gen. Hazen. Forage and rations were the 
same day landed at Boyd's Landing, for Gen. Slocum's Division 
which was expected to reach tide-water at that point. The rations, 
a few days after, were reshipped, a change of plans having followed 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



47 



the capture of Savannah. Dec. 25. There was very little opportu- 
nity for the celehration of Christmas ; but the rooms of Col. 
Boyd's house, used as headquarters, were adorned with ever- 
green. 

At the time when the Rhode-Island artillery was withdrawn to 
Deveaux's Neck, most of the cavalry were also ordered away. 
Dec. 27. A reconnoitring party from the cavalry exchanged 
shots with rebel videttes at the old naval battery ; and, on the fol- 
lowing day, their position was shelled with a boat howitzer, taken 
by hand to the Cotton Press. Dec. 31. The command was mus- 
tered for pay on memorandum rolls, no blanks being available. 

The patience, cheerfulness, and good conduct of the regiment 
during this month's campaign, deserve especial mention. Though 
there was much suffering from inclement weather, from scanty 
clothing, and often from short rations, few complaints were heard. 
Hard work was not grumbled at ; and, recognized in their rights 
as soldiers, the men willingly accepted the hardships of the field, 
while striving to crush rebellion and elevate their race. Espe- 
cially to be noticed were the courage, patience, and cheerfulness of 
the wounded through the long, rough march following the battle 
of Honey Hill. 

Jan. 1, 1865. The post was visited by Gen. Hatch, who ordered 
that the houses on Fripp's Plantation, about a mile above Boyd's, 
and used by the rebels as a lookout, should be burned, which was 
the next day done by boats from the " Pontiac." 

Jan. 3. The " Pontiac " ordered to assist in the transporta- 
tion of Sherman's army, left just at night, and her place was sup- 
plied by a navy tug, carrying two twelve - pounders, which 
anchored on the same spot, giving the impression in the morning 
that the " Pontiac " had shrunk during the darkness. A rebel 
deserter, who had come into our lines from the picket at the naval 
battery, was sent off on the gunboat. He had sent his comrade for 
water, and then ridden to our pickets. He was a poor white, whose 
wife and children were in Savannah. He seemed thoroughly tired 
of the war. 

Jan. 6. Eleven contrabands, seven men, and four women, came 
in at daylight. They had been in the woods for eleven days, with- 
out fire and with scanty food. One of the men had been a team- 
ster during the evacuation of Savannah, and had worked on the 
batteries at Honey Hill. According to his statement, the rebel line 



48 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



was unprotected by works a short distance to our right of the road 
as we advanced, and could have been turned from that direction. 

Jan. 9. Gen. Hatch again visited the post, leaving a detach- 
ment of engineers to take up the wharves and pontoon boats. 
Jan. 10. Three contrabands (men) came in, and were sent to the 
front to Gen. Hatch. A deserter from Wheeler's Cavalry also 
came in, who was a pretty good specimen of that command, a 
Kentuckian, reckless and careless, who deserted from the guard- 
house, rather than be tried for insubordination or treasonable 
sentiments to the Confederacy. He reported Wheeler's force at 
and near Grahamville, which had been before suspected from a 
change in the pickets. 

Jan. 11. Orders were received from Major-Gen. Foster, to 
evacuate Boyd's Landing, and embark for Savannah, via Hilton 
Head. The steamer " Fountain," which was to take the troops, 
grounded at the mouth of the creek, and was pulled off on the 
evening tide by the tug. At dusk, the cavalry was put on a large 
scow, the gangway being covered with boughs to prevent noise. 
The navy howitzers were with much labor placed on the tug ; the 
twenty-four pounder, with the engineers' tools and ammunition, on 
the small scow ; and the troops then went on board the " Fountain." 
The scows were taken in tow by the tug; and Boyd's Landing was 
deserted except by a picket of a lieutenant, a sergeant, and six pri- 
vates left in the road beyond the rifle-pits, who withdrew silently, and 
embarked in a small boat as soon as the steamers were fairly under 
way down the creek. So quietly was all this done that a scouting 
party of the rebel cavalry came down the road within sight of our 
picket, in the dim moonlight, but heard no sign of the movement. 

The regiment arrived at Hilton Head at daylight, Jan. 12, and, 
after landing the cavalry and artillery, left for Fort Thunderbolt 
near Savannah, by the inland passage. This route was necessarily 
taken On account of the unfitness of the steamer for the transpor- 
tation of troops ; for though a new boat chartered by the gov- 
ernment for that express purpose, she was so unsteady that the 
ordinary movements of the men on board caused her to roll from 
side to side, and in a rough sea would have made her very uncom- 
fortable. As it was, her machinery gave out near Seabrook Land- 
ing, and a despatch was sent to Hilton Head for another boat. 
Meanwhile the 44 Fountain " tied up alongside the wharf, and the 
regiment was landed for a short time. At 11, a.m., Jan. 13, the 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 49 

" Sylph," a large boat with abundant accommodations for the regi- 
ment, arrived ; and they re-embarked, and about sunset arrived 
at Fort Thunderbolt. In the vicinity of the fort, which was being 
dismantled, were some of Sherman's troops, awaiting transporta- 
tion. The ranking officer was Gen. Wood, and by him a place 
was assigned for the regiment to bivouac about half a mile from 
the landing. This was the first regiment of colored troops they 
had seen, and remarks concerning them were heard from the 
crowds at the wharf and along the line of march. On one side 
of the field assigned for the bivouac was the First Alabama Cav- 
alry, and not far off a Missouri infantry regiment. The feeling of 
Sherman's army against colored troops occasionally made itself 
manifest in words, but in no other way. On the morning of the 
14th, the camp was changed to a field about a mile to the north ; 
but was hardly located, when it was surrounded by a division of 
Sherman's troops, and it was thought best to move again a short 
distance. The same evening a dress-parade was held, which was 
viewed with surprise by the men of the surrounding regiments. 
Among the Ohio troops were many former acquaintances of men 
in the Fifty-fifth ; and this with the parade and drills, and the 
knowledge that the regiment had seen active service, and were not 
holiday soldiers sent to occupy the forts taken by the Western army, 
soon put them on a good footing. At the conclusion of a dress- 
parade, a Western soldier, who stood back of the commanding offi- 
cer, exclaimed as the regiment came to " order arms," " Bully ! 
There ain't a regiment in Sherman's whole army could do that! " 
Jan. 16. Orders were received from Gen. Foster to relieve the gar- 
rison of Fort Jackson, and occupy that work and the neighboring 
earthwork, Battery Lee, and Fort Bartow on the bluff, about half 
a mile to the south-west, across the rice swamps. Companies C, 
D, and F were stationed at Jackson ; and A, B, E, I, and K, at Bar- 
tow. Major Nutt, Surgeon Brown, and Quartermaster Mowry, left 
for Hilton Head, to provide for the transportation, &c, of the bag- 
gage and stores. Major Nutt returned Jan. 20. As soon as shel- 
ters were built, the work of clearing up the forts was commenced. 
Fort Jackson was on the rice fields of the Savannah River: Fort 
Bartow was on St. Augustine Creek, and only accessible by land over 
a narrow causeway. The barracks at the former were very filthy. 
The magazines were in confusion, containing quantities of shot and 
shell, though but little powder. The work of clearing up, and 

7 



50 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



remounting guns, was carried on vigorously while the command 
remained. On the evening of Jan. 22, the regiment was visited 
by three members of the Boston Relief Committee, sent out with 
provisions to Savannah, and by Carleton, of the "Boston Jour- 
nal." They arrived in the midst of a pouring rain, having left 
their steamer aground in Warsaw Sound, and were assisted on 
their way to Savannah the next morning. Jan. 26. Asst.-Surgeon 
Wilder went North on leave, Asst.-Surgeon Babbitt having rejoined 
the regiment. 

On the evening of Jan. 27, the arsenal at Savannah, where the 
ammunition for the rebel navy Was stored, was set on fire. Much 
damage was done to the city by the fire, and the explosion of the 
shells. At the forts, the bursting shells sounded like a rapid firing 
of field artillery, and aroused the whole garrison. 

Jan. 28. A detail of three hundred men under Capt. Torrey,' 
was sent to dismantle a battery situated between Thunderbolt and 
McAllister. Half of this detail were taken by boat, and the bal- 
ance marched a distance of fifteen miles. This was the only fatigue 
party from the regiment at Savannah, and they received pretty 
hard usage, for they were detained by the ordnance officer in charge 
until their rations were entirely gone, and left to march back to 
camp with absolutely no provisions. 

Jan. 30. Col. Hartwell, who had received a brevet as brigadier- 
general for his conduct at Honey Hill, visited the regiment for the 
first time since that action, and was heartily welcomed by both offi- 
cers and men. He was still somewhat lame from the effect of his 
wounds. Gen. Hartwell did not remain with the regiment ; but 
returned to Hilton Head, where he had been placed on special duty 
by Gen. Foster. The object in ordering the Fifty-fifth to Savannah 
was never exactly known to them. Whether it was the original 
intention that they should form part of the garrison, or whether 
they were to have joined the column that marched under Sherman, 
northward, or whether they were only sent there on exhibition as a 
specimen of the colored troops, for the benefit of the Western 
troops, is matter for conjecture. 

Jan. 31. The companies were comfortably quartered, the 
forts were in comparatively good order, and the next day drills in 
both infantry and heavy artillery tactics were to commence, when 
marching orders came, to be ready the next morning to embark on 
the steamer " Cosmopolitan." At eight, a.m., Feb. 1, therefore, 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



51 



the companies from Fort Bartow marched over dikes to Fort 
Jackson, and at three, p.m., the regiment embarked. 

The regiment was ordered to Morris Island to take part in active 
operations ; but the captain of the steamer had later orders to pro- 
ceed to Hilton Head, and (what settled the question) had only 
enough coal to take him there. To Hilton Head, therefore, the 
regiment went, arriving about sunset. The officer in command 
reported to Gen. Foster, and was directed to report with his regi- 
ment to Brig. -Gen. Potter. During the night the steamer " Louis- 
burg " came alongside, and the regiment was transferred to her. 
At daybreak, the " Louisburg " passed up the river to Beaufort, 
where the One-hundred-and-forty-fourth New York joined the ex- 
pedition in another steamer, and both boats started in the direction 
of Edisto, proceeding up the South Edisto River towards Jehosse 
Island, where a landing was to be made at Aiken's Plantation. 
That point, however, was found to be too near a rebel battery on 
the main land. The boats were therefore ordered back a couple of 
miles to Prince's Creek, where the pilot said there was a landing. 
The "Louisburg" ran in there close to the bank, the picket landed 
in boats, a rough pontoon bridge was built to the shore, and the 
regiment landed at the deserted quarters of Dr. Bailey's plantation, 
in the midst of a drizzling rain. Dr. Bailey's plantation was sup- 
posed to be on an island separated from Edisto Island by a narrow 
creek, over which there was said to be a bridge. Pickets were 
thrown out on the old roads leading toward the landing, and the 
regiment bivouacked in line, making themselves comfortable with 
the fodder stored in the barns around. A hasty examination just 
at night failed to show any decided indication of the main road 
inland. 

At daylight, Feb. 4, the One-hundred-and-forty-fourth New York 
landed, and the Fifty-fifth started inland. After proceeding about 
a mile, the road grew less distinct, and finally was lost altogether, 
and a return to the starting point became necessary. Fresh direc- 
tions were obtained from the old pilot, and the regiment again 
marched in the rain, this time following road traces where they 
were visible, and the general direction where they were not. The 
march ended on the bluff overlooking a deep and wide creek, be- 
yond which could be seen houses and men, supposed to be on 
Edisto Island, but across which there was no trace of a bridge. A 
rest was ordered, while the commanding officer with a squad of 



52 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



men followed the creek from river to river, ascertaining that no 
bridge across it existed. The One-hundred-and-forty-fourth came 
np about noon ; and, as there was no possibility of marching to 
Dawho Ferry and joining the Thirty-second United-States Colored 
Troops, both regiments returned to the landing, and were quartered 
in the deserted plantation houses. 

Meanwhile Gen. Potter and staff, landing on the opposite side 
of the creek, had ridden across the island, and finding the Thirty- 
second Regiment, sent back orders for the Fifty-fifth and One- 
hundred-and-forty-fourth to re-embark, and proceed- by water to 
Seabrook Landing in the North Edisto ; which they accordingly 
did, reaching that point about noon, Feb. 4, and marched thence 
about six miles inland, the Fifty-fifth to a bridge which the Thirty- 
second Regiment had just finished repairing, where they bivouacked 
for the night, and the One-hundred-and-forty-fourth in another 
direction toward Jehosse Island. 

On the morning of Feb. 5, the march toward Dawho Ferry was 
resumed under Gen. Potter. The roads were obscured by the 
vegetation of several seasons, and could be traced only with ex- 
treme difficulty, the regiment often w r as compelled to march single 
file. At Dawho Ferry, where only a narrow r creek divided the 
island from the main land, the regiments bivouacked in line of 
battle, built large fires, and made as much noise as they chose. 

Feb. 6. The Fifty-fifth received orders to report to Gen. Hart- 
well and leaving the Thirty-second at Dawho, they marched back 
to Seabrook Landing, and re-embarked on the " Louisburg," for 
Stono Inlet. The weather was rough, and, on arriving off the bar, 
only just light enough remained to distinguish the buoys marking 
the channel ; the " Cosmopolitan," coming a little later, was obliged 
to stand off until daybreak. While the " Louisburg " lay in the 
North Edisto, Private John Roberts, of Company C, died on board 
of typhoid fever. 

On landing at Folly Island, it was found that Quartermaster 
Mowry had left only two days before for Hilton Head, with orders 
to store the regimental baggage at Beaufort. Feb. 7, the regi- 
ment bivouacked on its old ground, where nothing remained of 
its once neat and regular camp, save a few old tents occupied by 
such of the sick as had not been able to rejoin the regiment, a 
few returned furloughed men, and a small and very poor squad of 
recruits lately sent there to await the regiment, — all under charge 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



53 



of Lieut. Spraguc. Enough old tents remained to quarter the 
officers ; and the men were fitted with shelter tents and lumber from 
the deserted camps. 

Feb. 7. Gen. Hartwell, with the One-Hundred-and-forty-fourth 
New York, arrived. The day was occupied in issuing clothing 
and rations. Feb. 8, Company H reported for duty, and the 
same day all the detailed men were ordered back to the regiment, 
Company G- alone remaining on detached duty on Long Island. 

Feb. 9. The force assembled at Stono Inlet started, under 
direction of Gen. Schimmelpfennig, on an expedition to James 
Island. The troops moved in two detachments ; the left by way 
of Battery Island, and the right, under command of Gen. Hartwell, 
and consisting of the One-hundred-and-forty-fourth and Fifty-fourth 
New York, and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, by way of the old bridge 
at the northerly end of Cole's Island. The crossing to Cole's 
Island was made in the night ; and, at daylight on the 10th, the 
skirmishers crossed to James Island, the bridge was rapidly laid 
on the old timbers, and the whole force moved over unopposed. 
The movement was covered by several gunboats. Immediately 
after the passage of the infantry, the bridge was carefully strength- 
ened for the artillery. Through some fault in the work, one field- 
piece broke through and was lost in the creek, the men and horses 
barely escaping. Another field-piece and two boat-howitzers from 
the gunboats, were landed in safety. 

The line was formed in the old intrenchments dug the previ- 
ous July, which were found undisturbed. The skirmish line now 
advanced to the crest of the hill, in front of the rifle-pits, without 
opposition, though the rebels could be seen in the works con- 
structed for their picket line. During the day, our skirmish line 
kept up some firing with the enemy, and towards sunset Gen. Gill- 
more came up the river in the " Coit," and sent orders ashore to 
" advance and engage the enemy." The line of battle of the four 
regiments was formed, and moved forward in handsome style, being 
expressly designed to call out the enemy's force. At the edge 
of the plain that lay in front of the enemy's rifle-pits, the Fifty- 
fifth, the Thirty-third United-States, and Fifty-fourth New- York 
were massed in column in the rear of the right and left wings, 
and halted, while the One-hundred-and-forty-fourth and Thirty- 
second moved on in line, with the skirmish line from the Fifty- 
fourth New York advancing rapidly in their front. The enemy, 



54 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



composed of the Charleston Battalion, under Major Manigault, 
kept up a brisk fire, and held out until our line was almost in their 
works. The musketry was severe as our men crossed the open 
sand and marsh, behind which the rebel " half-moons " were made ; 
and a sharp skirmish of short duration resulted, ending in the 
capture of the rifle-pits and a number of prisoners. Under the 
sharpest of the fire the advancing line wavered for a moment ; but 
a cheer from the Fifty-fifth, as they deployed into line, to move for- 
ward, steadied it at once. The cheer was taken up, and the rifle- 
pits were carried. The regiment had one man wounded in this 
affair, the enemy firing in general too high. Lieut. James, who 
had rejoined the regiment from Virginia, acted in this expedition as 
aide to Gen. Hartwell. Seven prisoners were taken, including two 
commissioned officers, one the major commanding the picket line. 
At dark, the Fifty-fifth retired from the front, and the next morning 
recrossed to Folly Island. 

Feb. 11. The regiment embarked at night, with nine days' 
rations, on the " Cosmopolitan," as part of an expedition under 
Gen. Potter, destined to attempt a landing at Bull's Bay, some ten 
miles to the north of Charleston Harbor. 

Sunday morning, Feb. 12, the expedition, consisting of ten gun- 
boats and three large transports, entered Bull's Bay, and came to 
anchor. The Fifty-fifth was transferred to the " tin-clad " river 
transport " Augusta ; " but a violent gale prevented any movement. 
Capt. Hall at this time rejoined the regiment, and both he and 
Capt. Goodwin, on account of disability from wounds preventing 
their marching, were detailed on staff-duty, Capt. Hall with Gen. 
Hartwell, and Capt. Goodwin with Gen. Potter. 

The water in the creeks leading from Bull's Bay proving too 
shallow for any but the lightest-draft gunboats, the larger were 
mostly withdrawn, and the transports, accompanied by one gun- 
boat and the howitzer launches, moved up Owendaw Creek at high 
tide, and shelled the rebel earthworks. The enemy replied from 
two guns. No landing was attempted, and witk ebb-tide the boats 
withdrew. 

Feb. 14. A violent gale prevented operations, and water becom- 
ing scarce, and the troops suffering from the close confinement on 
the transports, a landing was effected on Bull's Island, where fresh 
water was abundant, and fresh pork and oysters were found in 
moderate quantities. The troops remained on shore during the 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



55 



night, and Company G rejoined the regiment, having been relieved 
from duty on Long Island. Singularly enough, after having gar- 
risoned Battery No. 2 for so long a time, and been continually 
under fire, having had the parapet ploughed by balls, the magazine 
laid almost bare, shells put through their tents, <fcc, the only casu- 
alty which had occurred happened on the day before their depart- 
ure, when a shell from Battery Lamar wounded five men, one 
quite severely. 

Feb. 15. The troops re-embarked. Men and officers were 
greatly crowded. In the cabin of the " Augusta," after all had 
retired, every available inch of room was occupied, officers being 
extended in the berths, on the seats, chairs, floor, and even on and 
under the table, — and this in air decidedly close ; for the waves 
were so high that the deadlights were closed, and an officer ventur- 
ing to open one was favored with a salt-water bath. 

Feb. 16. Another landing was attempted at Andersonville. The 
howitzer boats were advanced, the troops placed in the boats, and 
every preparation made for landing. Three companies of the 
Fifty-fifth were moving up the creek in rear of the launches, when 
the rebels opened on the latter with a rifled piece, and the signal 
was given for the boats to retire. Two of the transports with the 
launches then crossed to the north side of the bay. The One-hun- 
dred-and-forty-fourth New- York, and Thirty-second United-States 
were put into small boats, and, with the launches and boat-howit- 
zers, formed in line, under the immediate command of Gen. Hart- 
well, and effected a landing without loss, the enemy only waiting 
until the shells from the boat-howitzers reached them. The transport 
" Augusta," in attempting to obey a signal to follow the other 
boats, proved her quality, by floating broadside down the creek 
before wind and tide, and, in spite of the double engines, running 
aground and requiring the aid of another steamer to get her off, 
and finally reaching the other boats too late to disembark that 
night. On this expedition the tin-clads were failures. 

Feb. 18. The " Augusta" grounded in attempting to follow the 
other boats into the creek where the troops had landed ; but the 
Fifty-fifth were taken off in boats, and thus lightened, she came up 
to the landing. The regiment was ashore before sunset, and biv- 
ouacked behind some slight earthworks a short distance from the 
landing, where the engineers had already built a temporary wharf, 
for landing the horses and stores. The advantages of foraging 



56 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



were now felt ; and the officers and men were supplied with fresh 
beef, mutton, and sweet potatoes, from the neighboring plantations. 



j Sunday, Feb. 19. News was received from the fleet, of the evac- 
uation of Charleston^; and all the gunboats were seen dressed in 
colors from deck to masthead. The rebels were also ascertained 
to have left the front of Gen. Potter's command. An advance was 
ordered, first to Andersonville, where the first attempt to land had 
been made, and where a small earthwork and a line of rifle-pits 
were found, and thence to the Christ Church Line, the outer de- 
fence of Charleston against an attack from this direction. On 
reaching the main road in the afternoon, it was found that Hardee's 
rear, composed of Rhett's Second South-Carolina Regulars, two thou- 
sand four hundred strong, had that day passed. The works at Christ 
Church were found entirely deserted, and so hurriedly abandoned 
that much artillery was left behind. On this march, the Fifty- 
fifth brought up the rear, and was charged with the duty of collect- 
ing cattle and taking charge of the contrabands who joined the 
command. At Christ Church the troops bivouacked for the night ; 
but in the morning, after a short delay to await the return of for- 
aging parties, the line of march was resumed for Mount Pleasant, 
opposite Charleston. Boats from the fleet had landed at this 
place, and a few soldiers had come over from Sullivan's Island ; but 
/the Fifty-fifth was the first body of troops to enter the town after 
its evacuation. Words would fail to describe the scene which 
those who witnessed it will never forget, — the welcome given to a 
regiment of colored troops by their people redeemed from slavery, 
As shouts, prayers, and blessings resounded on every side, all felt 
that the hardships and dangers of the siege were fully repaid. The 
few white inhabitants left in the town were either alarmed or indig- 
nant, and generally remained in their houses ; but the colored peo- 
ple turned out en masse. Assiduously had they been taught to 
regard the " Yanks " as their enemies ; carefully had every channel 
of information been closed against them : but all to no purpose. 
" Bress de Lord," said an old, gray-haired woman, with streaming 
eyes, and hands clasped and raised toward heaven, " bress de 
Lord, I's waited for ye, and prayed for ye, long time, and I knowed 
you'd come, an ye has done come at last ; " and she expressed the 
feelings of all. 

A provost-guard was detailed from the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
and One-hundred-and-forty-fourth New- York, and Major Nutt made 




FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 57 

provost-marshal. Little disorder, however, occurred. Some pigs, 
geese, and chickens came to untimely ends, both regularly and 
irregularly, as was to be expected, and some of the white inhabi- 
tants complained that the colored troops insulted them, which, 
when it is considered that they thought it an insult for a black 
man to address them without first removing his hat, was also to be 
expected ; but no one was hurt, and no complaints brought against 
the men of the regiment were found to rest on any substantial 
basis. The troops had been besieging the place for nearly two 
years, knowing it as the birthplace and hot-bed of rebellion, yet 
no unusual effort was required to restrain them. 

Camping grounds were assigned to the several regiments of the 
command ; and the Fifty-fifth took its position in a level field be- 
tween the village and Sullivan's Island, where air and water were 
good, and there was a fine place for salt-water bathing, of which 
the men soon availed themselves. This rest was, however, short. 
On the morning of Feb. 21, orders came to draw five days' ra- 
tions, and prepare to move ; and, the same afternoon, the tin-clads 
transferred the command to Charleston, where they landed just 
before sunset. 

Daylight was fading when the line was formed to march through 
the city to a camping ground on Charleston Neck. Before the 
march commenced, three rousing cheers were given by the men of 
the Fifty-fifth, and given with a will. They were then told that 
the only restriction placed on them in passing through the city, 
would be to keep in the ranks, and that they might shout and sing 
as they chose. 

QFew people were on the wharf when the troops landed, or in the 
street when the line was formed ; but the streets, on the route 
through the city, were crowded with the colored population. Cheers, 
blessings, prayers, and songs were heard on every side. Men and 
women crowded to shake hands with men and officers, Many of 
them talked earnestly and understandingly of the past and present. 
The white population remained within their houses, but curiosity 
led even them to peep through the blinds at the/' black Yankees." 

On through the streets of the rebel city passed the column, on 
through the chief seat of that slave power, tottering to its fall. 
Its walls rung to the chorus of manly voices singing " John 
Brown," " Babylon is falling," and the " Battle-Cry of Freedom ; " j 
while, at intervals, the national airs, long unheard there, were 

8 



58 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



played by the regimental band. The glory and the triumph of 
this hour may be imagined, but can never be described. It was one 
of those occasions which happen but once in a lifetime, to be lived 
over in memory for evei\J 

With little straggling, the regiment reached the position assigned 
to it, near the line of works built for the defence of Charleston 
Neck, and went into bivouac for the night. 

Brig.-Gen. Potter had been ordered to advance into the interior, 
to observe the movements of the rebel garrison of Charleston, who 
had retired toward the Santee River. His command consisted of 
two brigades under Gen. Hartwell and Col. Kozlay, a section of 
artillery, and a small detachment of cavalry. These troops were 
collected on Charleston Neck, on the night of Feb. 21. Gen. Hart- 
welPs staff contained two officers from the Fifty-fifth ; viz., Capt. 
Hall and Lieut. James. Capt. Goodwin, being still prevented 
from marching by the wound received at James Island, was serv- 
ing on the staff of Gen. Potter. Capt. Woodward and Adjt. Mc- 
Kay were absent, wounded. 

Wednesday morning, Feb. 22, the column commenced its ad- 
vance, moving out of the intrenchments upon the Columbia Road. 
Rumors of rebel cavalry were numerous ; but the command 
reached Goose Creek, about seventeen miles from Charleston, 
about sunset, without having seen an armed rebel. At this point 
a system of foraging was commenced, which was continued until 
the return of the expedition. A party, under a commissioned offi- 
cer, was sent out from each regiment in the morning, to visit the 
plantations along the line of march, taking whatever provisions 
were thought necessary, and all stores which would be useful to 
the enemy, especially all good horses. In this way, the troops 
lived well, though only a limited amount of regular rations was 
issued. These foraging parties found no lack of provisions 
on the large farms. The smoke-houses and store-rooms were often 
filled with abundance of food ; but, among the small planters and 
poor families, they found much want and suffering. The troops 
soon became tired of poultry, sweet potatoes, rice, and meal, and 
received eagerly the occasional issues of hard bread and pork made 
by the quartermaster. 

The bridge over Goose Creek had been burnt by the retreating 
rebels. The stream at that point was . not fordable, and, as several 
days would be required to rebuild, one brigade crossed some miles 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



59 



above and the other at a point below, while a detachment was left 
to protect and assist the engineers in the work. The two brigades 
met beyond the creek ; and, turning to the right from the Columbia 
Road, the column took the direction of the North-eastern Railroad, 
and bivouacked at the cross roads, about twenty-five miles from 
Charleston. From this point, a detachment under Major Nutt was 
sent during the night to Dean Hall, a plantation on Cooper River, to 
capture a squad of rebel cavalry reported to be there, and to bring 
off what rice they could from a large mill there, and destroy the 
rest, together with the mill itself. The rebels had burnt the mill, 
and disappeared ; but a quantity of rough rice was destroyed. 

Feb. 24. The march was continued in a drizzling rain, still in 
the general direction of the railroad. At White's Plantation, the 
cavalry of the rebel rear-guard fired upon the foraging parties, and 
the head of the column found the rebel skirmishers drawn up on 
the edge of a wood. Their visible force numbered only about one 
hundred, however ; and they were quickly driven by the skirmish- 
ers of the Second Brigade, and a few shells from the artillery. 
The column then advanced to Monk's Corner, a spot famous in 
Revolutionary history, as the scene of one of Gen. Marion's skir- 
mishes, and bivouacked in line of battle for the night. 

Feb. 25. The Fifty-fifth was ordered forward to rebuild the 
bridges over the Santee Canal and Biggin Creek, which had been 
destroyed by the rebels, and also to ascertain if Biggin Church, a 
strong position beyond the canal, was occupied by them. The cav- 
alry skirmishers of the enemy were found at the creek, their picket 
being on the bluff overlooking it, but falling back at once and 
throwing down the last timber of the bridge as they left. They 
were soon driven across the canal, but held for a time their posi- 
tion on its further bank. The creek-bridge was rebuilt, under a 
scattering fire ; but a gun being placed on the hill, and two com- 
panies advanced to the edge of the canal, the rebels ceased firing 
and fell back, and a detachment, following over a temporary bridge, 
found that they had continued to retreat without attempting to 
hold the church. A despatch was found at the church, from Gen. 
Lovell to Major Jenkins, commanding the cavalry, ordering him to 
push back, and, if possible, to occupy Monk's Corner. The major 
probably did not think it possible. 

Company B being left on picket at the church, an ancient build- 
ing erected before the Revolution, the regiment was withdrawn 



60 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



and bivouacked in line on the bluff overlooking the creek. On the 
road at this point was a small but quite good house, in the yard of 
which the gun was placed while the bridge below was being re- 
built. The people there were of Dutch descent; and one middle- 
aged lady, who had been a teacher, seemed to have been well edu- 
cated. She was rather a singular person, and, strange to say, was 
a strong Unionist. Here regimental headquarters were established ; 
and, during the evening, Gen. Hartwell came down, and the Glee 
Club of Company F sang several of their songs, much to the en- 
tertainment of all. A bright little girl, called Eliza, was made 
quite a pet of by the officers, and will probably long remember the 
skirmish at Biggin Creek. 

Feb. 26. The command marched at seven, a.m., toward St. Ste- 
phens Depot. No more opposition from the enemy was met ; but the 
roads grew rapidly worse, until, in a swamp about four miles from 
St. Stephens, they were almost impassable for artillery. At least 
one quarter of the eighteen miles of road from Biggin Church to 
St. Stephens was under water, and rain fell during most of" the day. 

The village of St. Stephens, which was reached about sunset, 
consisted of the railroad station, a store or two, and some dozen 
or two small houses scattered over the surrounding country. It 
was situated at the edge of the Santee Swamp, about a mile from 
the river. Here, during the week preceding, had been collected 
for transportation most of the troops that had been withdrawn 
from Charleston, and other points of the coast south of the mouth 
of the Santee. Some ten thousand infantry and cavalry, and nine 
pieces of artillery, had taken the cars here during that time for 
North Carolina, the last detachment having left the day before. 
The next morning a reconnoissance made by Company F to the 
Santee, over a mile of trestle-work, averaging more than fifteen 
feet in height, proved the statement of the villagers to be true, ■ — 
that the retreating rebels had burnt the bridge over the river. 
Only the iron piers were left standing, of one of the finest railroad- 
bridges in the State. A rebel picket was seen across the river, 
and a mile distant a small earthwork, but there appeared to be no 
body of troops near. 

On the morning of Feb. 27, the bivouacs hastily made the pre- 
vious night were abandoned, and the different regiments were 
placed with more regularity in the woods adjoining the village. 
As horses were from time to time brought in, a squad of mounted 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



61 



infantry was organized, under Lieut. C. L. Roberts, who did good 
service as foragers and videttes. 

Feb. 28. The regiment was mustered for pay. The same after- 
noon a detachment consisting of Companies G and K, under Capt. 
Hamilton, started for a plantation about fifteen miles distant. 
While at Monk's Corner, four men of the Fifty-fourth New- York 
had been captured by rebel cavalry. Information had been re- 
ceived that these captors and their prisoners were to be at this 
place this night, and it was resolved to attempt their capture and 
the release of the prisoners. The night was exceedingly dark ; 
but, guided by a negro, the two companies crossed the country, 
wading often through water waist-deep, surrounded the house, 
captured a lieutenant and two men, and released the prisoners. 
Two of the rebels were killed, as was also one man of Company G, 
who ventured forward into the light and became a good mark. 
The detachment returned to camp the afternoon of the next day. 

While the command remained at St. Stephens, many rebel desert- 
ers and stragglers came or were brought in. They were mostly 
from the poor whites, and almost all expressed themselves as tired 
of the war. They seemed surprised at the good treatment they 
received from the colored troops, as they had been told they would 
be shot at once if officers were not present. In most cases, this 
class were allowed to return to their homes, on taking the prescribed 
oath. Their desire for peace was in most cases, no doubt, sincere, 
as their families were suffering, many were conscripted, and the 
war had greatly enlarged their knowledge of national affairs and of 
Yankee character. 

On the forenoon of March 1, the mounted men were sent to 
examine the ferry, about eight miles above the railroad bridge. 
The party passed down the ferry road, fording several streams from 
two to four feet deep, and pushed forward into the river-swamp, 
until they could go no further without swimming their horses. 
The distance across was found by the landmarks pointed out by the 
guide, to be about five miles, and it was evident that no large num- 
ber of troops could cross with the water at the depth it then was. 
Rain fell during the whole day, and the party returned to St. Ste- 
phens completely soaked. 

March 2. The command again started and marched over roads 
rendered worse than before by two days' additional rain. The line 
of march was, however, away from the swamps and toward the 



62 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



pine-lands ; and there was more clear water and not so much mud 
as there had been on the St. Stephens road. A shout from the 
head of the column always announced the presence of water to be 
forded ; and, wet and cheerful, the regiments paddled on and reached 
Pineville soon after noon. This was a pretty village among the 
tall pines, on slightly rising ground, and was the summer residence 
of the planters from the surrounding country, whose plantations 
were unhealthy during the hot season. The houses were comfort- 
able, some of them even elegant, though but few were occupied 
during the winter months. Most of them were at this time in 
charge of servants. Though the whole command bivouacked in 
the village for dinner, little damage was done except to fence-rails. 
Eight or ten buildings were, however, burnt by the rear-guard, 
by Gen. Potter's order, they having been used as headquarters by 
the guerillas. After dinner, the march was resumed. The column 
left the main road, moved across the country, through the fine 
plantations of the Ravenel Family, and bivouacked at night on the 
bank of a small stream near the plantation of Mayor Macbeth, of 
Charleston, on the Black-Oak Road. Here Private Chase, serving 
as orderly to Gen. Hartwell, was captured by rebel scouts within 
fifty rods of the head of the column. He was unarmed at the 
time, and was supposed by his captors to be a servant, so that he 
easily threw them of their guard, and, by aid of a colored man at a 
plantation to which he was taken at night, escaped, and rejoined 
the regiment the next day. The men who captured him were 
bushwhackers, and told him that, had he been armed or a soldier, 
they would have shot him at once. 

March 3. The command moved over roads, with more mud and 
not less water than the day previous, along the north side of the 
San tee Canal, until they again arrived at Biggin Church. Here 
a brigade of four regiments, under Col. Van Wyck, of the Fifty- 
sixth New-York, reported to Gen. Potter. 

On the morning of March 4, the column started at seven o'clock, 
but, after marching a mile, found that the bridge over the west- 
ern branch of the Cooper River, a narrow but unfordable stream, 
had been destroyed. The engineers, with large details, began to 
rebuild the bridge. The width was too great to cross artillery 
over a single span, and fixing a pier in the deep and swift current 
was not easy. Company B, of the Fifty-fifth, was detailed to re- 
turn by the church to Biggin Creek, where a canal-boat was found 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



63 



at the time the crossing had been made. This boat, together with 
a sloop found fastened to the river-bank, in despite of many difficul- 
ties, were taken down the canal, and up the western branch of the 
Cooper, to the bridge, and there were used as centre supports. 

March 5. The march was resumed at seven, a.m., and at noon 
reached Strawberry Ferry, over the Cooper River. Here the regi- 
ment bivouacked on a bluff overlooking a fine rice plantation of a 
rebel captain, in whose house were Gen. Potter's headquarters. 
At the foot of the bluff was a large rice-mill, where the command 
obtained considerable meal. Opposite were the ruins of Dean 
Hall, burnt the day after the regiment left Charleston. Thus far 
all rice-mills had been destroyed ; but this one being near Charleston, 
accessible by river, was allowed to stand. All along the line of 
this day's march, fine houses and plantations had been passed, mostly 
abandoned however, their owners having been deeply interested 
in the rebellion. 

The steamer " Croton " arrived at the landing near the rice- 
mill soon after the troops had gone into bivouac, loaded with cloth- 
ing and rations, both of which were at once issued, as living on the 
country had now become difficult, this region being accessible to 
the navy ; and the route was soon to enter the unproductive region 
north of the Cooper River, between this point and its mouth. 

March 6. The route followed turned away from the river, and 
lay through pine-lands, productive only of turpentine and inhabited 
by the poor whites. Few settlements were found, and the roads were 
exceedingly bad. Col. Yan Wyck's brigade took a road nearer the 
river, turning to the right a short distance from the ferry. The 
halt for the night was made at a plantation, where some members 
of the family had taken refuge in the swamp, from which, however, 
they were soon brought back unharmed. The worst evil done 
them was the confiscation of their poultry, and the organization of 
a dancing party in their yard. 

March 7. The command moved this morning by way of Half 
Way Creek Road and Cainhoy Ferry to Daniel's Island, on a creek 
emptying into the Cooper River, and in sight of Charleston. Yan 
Wyck's brigade united with Gen. HartwelPs at the forks of the 
road early in the afternoon. This day's march was through a 
richer country. The destruction of a small bridge by the navy, to 
admit of the passage of their launches up the creek, brought the com- 
mand to a halt, when they bivouacked for the night. During the 



64 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



night, the bridge was rebuilt, and the next morning a crossing was 
made in the rain to a bivouac among the pine woods on Daniel's 
Island. No communication from Charleston was found here, the 
expedition having arrived, perhaps, sooner than expected. Rations 
were getting short. An attempt was made to collect fresh beef 
from the plantations ; but it was not very successful, cattle being 
scarce and poor, the island having been thoroughly foraged by the 
navy. Gen. Potter obtained a boat, and opened communication 
with Charleston, which resulted in the transfer of the command, 
early the next morning, to Clement's Ferry, on a creek opposite the 
city. Here were found the ruins of an old, substantial brick tav- 
ern, or ferry-house. For three or four days, on all the mile-stones 
had been seen inscribed, " So many miles to Calais ; " and Calais 
had become quite a by-word, and was supposed to be a place of 
some importance. But no search or inquiry could discover the 
place, until, at Clement's Ferry, the oldest inhabitant, on being 
questioned, remembered that Calais had been the former name of 
the ferry. 

At Clement's Ferry, with short rations, and on low ground 
soaked with water, for it still rained, the troops remained during 
the afternoon and night of the 9th March. During the night, a 
violent thunder-shower drenched and completely inundated the 
crowded camp of the regiment, whose shelter-tents were in a live- 
oak grove on the border of the marshes. 

March 10. The tin-clad " Augusta " slowly worked her way 
up the creek, and on her second trip the Fifty-fifth was transferred 
to Charleston. Marching out over Meeting Street, on the plank 
road, and through the intrenchments, the regiment went into 
bivouac at Rickersville, just beyond, in a high, dry, and well-shaded 
field. The next day a regular camp was established, the first mail 
was received for three weeks, brigade headquarters were located 
in a good house opposite the camp, and Gen. Potter's expedition 
to the Santee successfully ended. 

March 11 to 16, inclusive, the regiment remained in camp at 
Rickersville. On the former date, application was made to send 
for the regimental baggage stored at Beaufort ; permission having 
been given, Lieut. Bean was ordered to Hilton Head for muster as 
first lieutenant, and also with instructions for the quartermaster. 
A partially successful application was also made for the return of 
the large number of men on detached duty. Surgeon Brown, 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



65 



Capt. Goodwin, and Lieut. Roberts here rejoined the regiment. 
Capt. Hall had assumed command of his company at St. Stephens. 
The inspection of Sunday, March 12, showed the regiment to be 
in very good condition considering its late service. 

March 13. Sixteen recruits were received for the regiment, 
none of whom were ever of any service as soldiers. Two or three 
were at once rejected by a proper board of officers. One was a Por- 
tuguese, who could not speak a word of English, and was suffering 
from an affection of the spine. 

March 14. The provisional brigade was broken up by the de- 
parture of the Thirty-second United-States Colored Troops for 
North Edisto, and the One-hundred-and-forty-fourth New- York for 
Hilton Head. Asst.-Surgeon Wilder returned from furlough this 
day. 

March 15. The regiment was inspected by Brig.-Gen. Seth Wil- 
liams, of the Inspector-General's Department, whose report of its 
condition and appearance was very favorable. On the evening of 
March 15, the regiment being together in camp for the first time 
since the action at Honey Hill, a meeting of the officers was called 
at headquarters, by request of Gen. Hartwell ; and resolutions were 
passed expressive of their sorrow for the loss of their comrades, 
Capt. Crane and Lieuts. Boynton and Hill, and of sympathy for 
their families and friends. 

March 16. Orders were received to break camp the next day 
and proceed to James Island, where the regimental baggage, which 
had this day arrived at Charleston, was ordered to be landed. 

By great exertion, most of the new instruments for the band 
were obtained from the regimental baggage, where they had been 
stored since their arrival by express ; so that, on the morning of 
the 17th, the command marched down King and Bay Streets with 
band playing and colors flying, every man doing his best to give 
the regiment a regular and soldierly appearance. This was the 
first time the music of the band had been heard since their instru- 
ments were packed away at Folly Island, Nov. 27, 1864. 

Difficulty arose in transferring the regiment to James Island, 
from the want of sufficient transportation; by sunset, however, 
men, baggage, and horses were ferried over, although too late to 
reach that night the point assigned for the camp at McLeod's 
house, on Wappoo Cut, the former location of the rebel quarter- 
master and commissary for the island. Two companies, therefore, 

9 



66 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



moved on, to relieve the Fifty-fourth New-York, ordered to North 
Carolina, and the remainder bivouacked at James-Island Creek 
Bridge. Here a somewhat startling incident occurred to a party 
of officers, who had made themselves comfortable with a good fire, 
in an old house formerly occupied by the rebel ordnance depart- 
ment. They had not noticed that powder had been scattered 
around on the floor, and probably worked its way into the cracks 
and joints, until sudden flashes of fire announced the fact, and 
caused a hasty evacuation. 

The rebels, when abandoning James Island, had destroyed most 
of the bridges ; but the bridge over James-Island Creek had been 
only slightly injured, so that a few planks made it passable for 
infantry or single horsemen. The regiment passed over the next 
morning ; but, as several days would have been required to fit the 
bridge for the passage of teams, the baggage was transferred from 
the wharf opposite the city to the camp at Wappoo Cut, by a small 
captured steamer. 

March 18. In accordance with the orders of Brig.-Gen. Schim- 
melpfennig, commanding the defences of Charleston, to whose 
command the Fifty-fifth was now assigned, the several companies 
were stationed as follows : Companies C, G, and I, under Capt. 
Hamilton, at Fort Pemberton, on a high bluff at the junction of 
Wappoo Cut, and Stono River, — a regular bastioned fort neatly 
built, with buttresses, water-battery, and arched, brick sallyport, 
but without bomb-proof, and only formidable from its position. 
Companies C and G were quartered in good barracks, and Company 
I, in" A" tents pitched on the parade-ground. , The situation was 
excellent ; high, airy, with good water, and a fine ground for drills. 
Companies D and F, under Capt. Thurber, were stationed at Bat- 
tery Pringle, and quartered in the barracks and huts, rebuilt from 
those left by the rebel garrison. This fort was on the Stono River, 
below Pemberton, and near the bridge to John's Island, and formed 
the right of the line of defence of which Battery Lamar was the 
left. The traces of shot and shell from the gunboats, in the at- 
tacks of July and February, were plainly visible in the rear of the 
works. Two field-pieces, in charge of Company F, were placed to 
cover the John's-Island Bridge, which was further held by gun- 
boats in the stream below. The heavy guns in this line of works 
were nearly all in position, though mostly spiked. Company E 
was afterward ordered to this point, and quartered in barracks. 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



67 



This location was equally healthy with Pemberton. The rest of 
the regiment were quartered in tents at McLeod's Plantation, as the 
plantation-houses were occupied by a portion of the Fifty-fourth 
New- York, whose order to proceed to North Carolina had been 
countermanded. 

Sunday, March 19. A visit was made by a party of officers to 
the line of works, from Battery Pringle to Battery Lamar, and to 
the battle-ground of July 2, 1864, in front of the latter work. 
One object of this visit was to ascertain what disposition had been 
made of the bodies of the men who fell in that action, concerning 
which various rumors had from time to time prevailed. Those 
rumors proved only too correct. Within the rebel lines, on an 
island, held solely, except during short expeditions, by their 
forces, by the side of a road over which their cavalry must have 
passed daily, the dead of the Fifty-fifth had lain for more than 
eight months unburied, where they fell. Several were recognized 
by their position, and the remnants of their clothing ; but, among 
bones of nine bodies, there was not to be found a single skull ! 
Of the skeletons found, seven were of the Fifty-fifth, and two, from 
their position, probably of the Thirty- third United-States Colored 
Troops. So far as could be judged, the bodies of the white troops 
who fell, had been buried by the enemy. 

March 21. A detail, under charge of Sergt. Wallace, of Com- 
pany F, was sent to Charleston, as headquarters-guard, for Gen. 
Schimmelpfennig. This detail, after the departure of that officer 
for the North, was transferred to Gen. Hatch's headquarters, and 
did not rejoin the command until it moved from St. Andrews to 
Summerville. It presented, while on this duty, a military appear- 
ance creditable to the regiment. This day also, a wagon and four 
horses broke through the bridge over James-Island Creek, and 
only one horse was saved. The bridge being now utterly impass- 
able even for the pickets, its repair was ordered ; and a party was 
detailed to cut timber for the purpose. 

March 22. Every effort was made by the regimental and com- 
pany officers, to complete their returns, and put in order their 
books before another movement should take place. For four 
months they had been separated from their baggage, and all their 
papers and accounts were greatly in arrears. The hospital was 
also established at some deserted plantation-houses, between Mc- 
Leod's and Fort Pemberton. Asst.-Surg. Babbitt had been ap- 



68 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



pointed surgeon of the One-hundred-and-third United-States Col- 
ored Troops, and had left the regiment at Biggin Church, on the 
homeward march from the Santee River. 

Immediately after the discovery of the remains of those killed 
in the action of July 2, a party had been detailed to collect the 
bones and bring them, under a proper escort, to the regimental 
camp, where they had been received by the companies under arms. 
Sunday, March 25, they were buried with appropriate ceremonies. 
The remains were inclosed in one coffin, which, draped with the 
flag, on which was placed a wreath and cross of flowers, was borne 
by men who had been present in the action where they fell, and 
most of whom had been wounded there. The escort was Company 
E, under Capt. Goodwin; and the coffin was followed by the men 
and officers of the regiment, and by Gen. Hartwell and staff. The 
grave was under some beautiful elms, within an old fort, on a bluff 
at the junction of Ashley River and Wappoo Cut, and overlooking 
the city and harbor. With a hymn by the glee club, and an ad- 
dress by the chaplain, the exercises were concluded. 

March 28 to April 1. Gen. Hartwell assumed the temporary 
command of the regiment. March 28. Capt. Goodwin was again 
detailed on the staff of Gen. Potter, now assigned to the command 
of an expedition from Georgetown to the interior. 

April 3. Rumors of another move were heard this day and the 
next. April 5. Marching orders were received. A force consisting 
of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, Fifty-fourth New-York, and a sec- 
tion of the Third New-York Battery, all under Gen. Hartwell, being 
ordered to Murray's Ferry, to co-operate, if necessary, with Gen. 
Potter's expedition, north of the Santee. The regiment crossed to 
Charleston, marched through the city, and bivouacked on its former 
camping-ground, at Rickersville. The baggage was stored at Fort 
Pemberton and McLeod's Plantation, in charge of a guard of con- 
valescents, under Lieut. Lee. April 6. Gen. Hartwell's command 
marched at six, a.m., with eight days' rations, and one hundred 
rounds of ammunition per man, sixty of which were carried on 
the teams. The route taken was the Columbia Road, and the halt 
for the night was made just beyond the Goose-Creek Bridge. From 
this point a detachment, under Major Nutt, was sent to Dean Hall, 
where a squad of rebel cavalry were reported to be murdering the 
negroes who were trying to reach Charleston by the river. The 
report was, no doubt, true ; but the guide, either frightened, or 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



69 



ignorant of the way, took the wrong road, and the detachment, 
after marching far into the night, went into bivouac, and rejoined 
the column the next forenoon. April 7. The march was con- 
tinued until the head of the column arrived within a short distance 
of Monk's Corner, when it turned to the left, on the south side of 
the Santee Canal, and moved toward Pineapolis, a village of sum- 
mer residences similar to Pineville, though smaller. Few families 
or articles contraband of war were found there. A detachment, 
sent from Monk's Corner to the canal and creek bridges on the 
Biggin-Church Road, reported no signs of the enemy in that direc- 
tion. After marching until after dark, the command bivouacked, 
in line of battle, near the house of Mr. Cain, the artillery in posi- 
tion, and the men sleeping at the foot of their gun-stacks. Squads 
of cavalry were reported in front and rear ; and a mounted party, 
in advance of the infantry, were fired on just as the line for biv- 
ouac was formed. The cavalry seen, however, did not number 
over twenty-five or thirty ; and the report of troops in line of battle 
in the front proved to be an error. Mr. Cain's house and planta- 
tion were very fine. He claimed to have made an agreement with 
his former slaves, with which they were satisfied. Whether they 
were or not, few of them left him at that time. Many of the trees 
and fences around the yard were cut to strengthen the position, 
but the house and grounds were not otherwise injured. April 8. 
The line of march was resumed in the early morning, in a drizzling 
rain, through the plantations to the Black-Oak Road, to Pinewlle, 
where a halt for dinner was made ; thence to Mexico, to the plan- 
tation of W. M. Porcher. As the troops left Cain's Plantation, 
the carriage-barn was fired, whether by accident or design is not 
known. The fire did not, however, spread to other buildings. At 
Pineville, all sorts of rumors were current of the cruelties prac- 
tised by the guerilla cavalry, who were said to have shot and hung 
many of the negroes in that vicinity. The men of the regiment 
were greatly excited, and effort was necessary to preserve disci- 
pline. It was difficult to trace most of the reports to their source, 
but it is to be feared that some of them had too good foundation. 
One thing was certain, that a company of negroes had a fight at 
Pineville, with a squad of rebel scouts, under Lieut. Pettus, in 
which the latter had been at first defeated, and only effected their 
purpose after the arrival of reinforcements. Alarmed by these 
stories and events, an exodus of the freed people commenced at 



\ 

70 FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 

this point, which continued during the remainder of the expedi- 
tion, until the refugee-train was far larger than the rest of the col- 
umn. The Porcher homestead was the most elegant which the 
expedition had seen. The house was filled with articles of conve- 
nience and luxury, with treasures of art and family relics. It was 
situated in a large park, shaded by magnificent trees. The posi- 
tion was good ; and the line was formed for bivouac, the right at 
the mansion house, the left beyond that of the overseer, the out- 
buildings, over which guards were placed, being in the rear. 
There was slight picket-firing during the night, probably, however, 
at cattle and hogs. The march was resumed soon after daylight. 
Mr. Porcher was known to have been an original and most decided 
rebel, and he was taken to Charleston as a prisoner ; but his prop- 
erty would not have been destroyed as it was, had he not in reply 
to the question of the provost-marshal, " if he had any wine in his 
cellars," merely stated that he had not, omitting to say that he had 
a large amount in the garret. During the night a quantity of this 
liquor reached the mounted men of the escort, and probably some 
of the refugees ; and by one or the other, while in liquor, the house 
and all the out-buildings, except the dwelling of the overseer, 
which was saved by the exertions of Chaplain Bowles, who had 
spent the night there, were set fire to and destroyed as soon as the 
guards were withdrawn and the troops upon the march. As soon 
as the existence of the wine was ascertained by the provost-mar- 
shar, Capt. Torrey, he destroyed what remained of it. 

During the march of April 9, to Eutaw Springs, the enemy's 
cavalry, in small squads, was continually in sight ; and the advance- 
guard frequently exchanged shots with them. At one point, they 
seemed inclined to make a stand ; but a twelve-pound shell caused 
them to change their minds. On this day's march, a house, from 
which the skirmish-line was fired upon, was burnt ; but otherwise 
the only injury done to persons or property was the seizure of 
arms and provisions and means of transportation needed by the 
command. Eutaw Springs was reached about sunset ; and the line 
was formed for bivouac on the crest of a hill looking toward Nel- 
son's Ferry, to which point two companies, under command of 
Major Nutt, were sent to communicate with Gen. Potter. This 
they were not able to do ; but a party crossed the river and burnt 
a lot of cotton, leaving a written notice that it was done by order 
of the general commanding the division! Major Nutt brought 



FIFTY- FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



71 



back information that gunboats and transports had passed up the 
river a day or two previous. Some good horses having been seized, 
a squad of mounted infantry, numbering ten or more from each 
regiment, was organized under Lieut. Roberts. Lieut. Pettus, of 
the rebel cavalry, came in this day, under pretence of a flag of 
truce, but, as was supposed, in order to escape capture. He was 
released, however, after a night's detention, with a communication 
to G-en. Ferguson. A detachment, under Capt. Soule, attempted, 
at night, the surprise and capture of a squad of cavalry, whose 
rendezvous was ascertained ; but their pickets were too vigilant, 
and the only capture was a horse and rifle. 

On the morning of April 10, the position of the Fifty-fifth was 
changed to the opposite slope of the hill, in the direction of Mex- 
ico and Charleston, at the forks of the road, the line being almost 
>the same as that of Gen. Marion, at the battle of Eutaw Springs. 
The ruin of the brick house was near the centre of the line. The 
magnificent Eutaw Spring, boiling up a stream of water at least six 
inches in diameter, through the limestone rock, at the main spring, 
beside several smaller outlets near, formed a splendid pool of clear, 
cool water, in which, and in the creek below, the dusty and weary 
troops had time and opportunity to refresh themselves. The rebel 
cavalry were occasionally seen at a distance, but the position was 
too strong for them to attack. The refugee-train had increased 
until it numbered more than a thousand ; it was here placed in 
charge of Quartermaster Mowry and Chaplain Bowles. 

Early in the afternoon of April 10, the command moved, this 
time in the direction for Charleston, by a cross-road to the State 
road, and then to the city, or crossing it to Charleston, by way of 
Ridgeville and Summerville, if deemed advisable. The heat at 
noon had now become so great, that it was thought best to march 
as far as possible at morning and evening ; and a halt was not 
made until nearly midnight, when the troops were brought into 
line in front of a country church, some five miles from the State 
road, their front covered by a swamp. The only incident of the 
night had been the exchange of shots by the advance-guard with 
a party of rebel cavalry, who rode hastily off, leaving a couple of 
rifles and blankets in their haste. An early start was made on the 
morning of April 11, the Fifty-fifth, which had been in advance 
the previous day, taking its place as rear-guard, and continuing to 
act as such during the rest of the expedition. The artillery was 



72 FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 

placed one piece in advance and the other in the rear. The five 
miles of swamp to the State road was the worst that had been 
experienced. The artillery and brigade-wagons passed it with 
trouble, but for many of the teams of the refugees it was far too 
severe a test. So great was the difficulty in getting them through, 
and so bad was known to be the Ridgeville Road, that it was de- 
cided to proceed to Charleston by the direct route. The Fifty-fifth 
had just reached the State road, and halted for a rest with the 
artillery in position at the cross-roads, and the rear-guard deployed 
as skirmishers, when two mounted men, sent back to see if all 
were out of the swamp, were fired upon by the enemy's cavalry 
who appeared in the edge of the woods. But they came no fur- 
ther : a shell planted in their midst, followed by two more into the 
w r oods, caused their speedy retreat ; and they did not venture within 
rifle-shot again. There w r as good reason to believe, however, that 
this party of cavalry murdered, in cold blood, unarmed colored 
men, and perhaps women, left behind in the swamp. To check 
such cruelties, a message was left for their commander at the next 
house, that a repetition would insure the destruction of every 
house on the road. 

After the noon halt of this day, the refugee-train was arranged 
in two lines, and closed up as compactly as possible, and every 
measure was taken to hasten the march ; for forage and provisions 
were becoming scarce, and the country afforded little chance for 
seizures. 

Condensed as the train was, it was nearly a mile in length. 
There were teams of every description and of all makes, varieties, 
and ages, from the buggy and one-mule tip-cart, to the six-mule 
wagon and four-ox hay-rigging. And as were the wagons, so were 
the harnesses, new and old, fit and unfit, patched up, nailed up, 
tied up, and pegged up ; and the animals were proper companions 
to w r agon and harness. Upon these motley teams were loaded 
feather-beds and tinware, looking-glasses and iron pots, earthen- 
ware, damask curtains, silk dresses, frying-pans, churns, — in 
short, almost every article of dress and household furniture one can 
imagine in addition to food and forage. And beside this, almost 
every wagon was filled to overflowing with women and children. 
The writer counted twenty-six children, under five years of age, in 
one plantation-wagon. Each was anxious to save his property, 
little enough for a start in life, in the best cases ; and, as team after 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



team gave out from overwork, it was only by direct orders and 
sometimes threats, that enough could be got rid of . to enable the 
jaded beasts to keep ahead of the rear-guard. Some strange scenes 
took place with tired or obstinate animals ; and one remarkable 
and rather dangerous performance of the chaplain's, with an en- 
raged ox, will not soon be forgotten by the witnesses. Women 
and men walked hour after hour beside the teams, toting heavy 
bundles on their heads, and children of fourteen did the same, or 
carried children younger than themselves ; and yet when, at the 
close of the day's march, the camping-ground was reached, and 
the fires lighted, all the fatigue and hurry and vexation of the 
day seemed to be forgotten, and all were merry and happy to- 
gether. Such an exodus is not often witnessed ; once seen, it could 
never be forgotten. The number of refugees could not have been 
less than two thousand. Whether they in any way bettered their 
condition by leaving their homes on the plantations, is matter of 
doubt. To them it appeared a flight from slavery to freedom. 
Many, it is to be feared, perished from want and disease in an over- 
crowded city. During the afternoon of this day, the bridge over 
Four-Hole Swamp Creek broke down under a heavy ammunition- 
wagon, and the repairs delayed the march for more than an hour. 
This day also, Major Nutt, while pursuing with the mounted men 
some rebel scouts down a cross-road, received a severe fall from 
his horse breaking through a small bridge, which disabled him for 
several days. The rear-guard burnt this afternoon on the bluff, 
above Four-Hole Swamp Creek, the house of an officer of the 
Home-Guard Cavalry, said to have been concerned in some of the 
outrages on the freed people. It was thought he might have 
purposely weakened the bridge also, but of that there was no 
evidence. 

April 12. The march was commenced before breakfast, and 
early in the forenoon the command reached Goose Creek. Here 
the refugees were placed in camp, under guard of Companies I 
and K and the mounted men, to be rationed and brought to 
Charleston by rail. The Fifty-fourth New-York had gone on ; 
the artillery followed ; and the Fifty-fifth, closing up the ranks, 
marched steadily to the alternate music of band and drum corps, 
and, resting during the hottest of the day, reached the camp- 
ground at Rickersville just at night, to bivouac on it for the third 
time. 

10 



74 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



April 13. The regiment remained in bivouac at Rickersville, 
resting from the hard marching of the previous week. At mid- 
night a mounted orderly brought a despatch from Gen. Hartwell, 
announcing the fall of Richmond, and the surrender of Lee. The 
band was ordered out, and the camp was aroused by the music of 
" Hail Columbia," " The Star-spangled Banner," " Yankee Doo- 
dle," "John Brown," and " Babylon is Falling ; " while officers and 
men rushed wildly out in any thing but regulation dress, and cheer 
after cheer was heard as the news passed from company to com- 
pany. It was several hours before the camp was again quiet. 

April 14. Companies I and K arrived at the Four-mile House 
with the refugee-train. At Goose Creek the mounted men, under 
Lieut. Roberts, had a skirmish with a squad of rebel cavalry near 
the Eighteen-mile House. Loss, one man dismounted by his own 
animal, a mule. The celebration at Fort Sumter took place this 
day ; but it was attended by no officers of the Fifty-fifth, excepting 
Gen. Hartwell and staff. 

April 15. The refugee-camp was visited by Hon. Henry Wilson, 
William Lloyd Garrison, and others, who were on a visit to 
Charleston. 

April 16. The camp was visited by Rev. H. W. Beecher and 
others. When they arrived, the officers and men were seated on 
the parade-ground, while religious services were conducted by the 
chaplain. 

April 17. Orders were received to move to St. Andrews, on the 
south side of the Ashley River, where a fine position on high land, 
open to the sea-breeze, and furnished with good water, was selected 
in the angle formed by the Ashley River and Wappoo Cut, and 
nearly opposite McLeod's house on James Island. 

April 19. The sad news of the assassination of President Lin- 
coln was received at Charleston, causing intense excitement among 
the troops and the freed people. The usual signs of mourning, 
flags at half-mast, minute-guns and tolling bells, the various head- 
quarters draped in black, and the crape shrouding the colors and 
worn by the officers of the different commands, seemed feeble ex- 
pressions of feeling, for so great a loss. Even the rebel population 
united in condemnation of so cowardly a murder ; and scarcely a 
colored person could be met in the streets, who had not assumed, 
in some form or other, the badge of mourning. " 'Pears like we 
all ought to put on black for him," said a well-dressed old servant- 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



75 



woman to a crowd of her acquaintances, " for he was a mighty good 
father to us." 

April 20. The regiment left Rickersville for St. Andrews, pass- 
ing through the city and marching down Meeting Street, by platoon 
front. 

The regiment remained at St. Andrews from April 21 to May 
7. Eight companies were located at headquarters, while Companies 
B and F were stationed at two redoubts. Abundance of lumber 
had been left by the former occupants of the ground, and the tents 
of both officers and men were speedily made comfortable. 

A line of rifle-pits had been commenced by the former garrison, 
extending from the Ashley River to Wappoo Cut, along the picket 
line. A moderate detail completed these in a few days, after which 
the only regular details were for pickets, which were not large. 
A howitzer, in charge of a detail from Company F, was stationed 
at the picket reserve, on the Savannah Road. The outpost on 
this road killed the only dangerous character found near the camp 
at St. Andrews, viz., a large rattlesnake. 

Guard mountings and parades were resumed in regular form, 
also the usual company and battalion drills, and the effects of the 
two expeditions soon ceased to be visible. While the regiment 
remained at this point, two men from each company were allowed 
passes to Charleston each day, provided they could first pass a full- 
dress inspection, to the satisfaction of their company commander. 
The effect of these inspections on the general appearance of the 
command was evident. 

Both at James Island and at St. Andrews, there was no land 
communication with Charleston, and rations and quartermaster's 
stores were brought over by boats, with the management of which, 
frequent boat expeditions had familiarized most of the men. 

April 22. Lieut. Carter was relieved from his detail as acting 
adjutant, at his own request, and returned to duty with his com- 
pany. Lieut. C. W. Mutell was detailed to supply his place, and 
was appointed adjutant on the promotion of Adjt. McKay to be 
captain. 

April 28. Orders were received from the War Department for 
the muster of First Sergt. John F. Shorter as second lieutenant, 
under his commission issued March 24, 1864 ! The sergeant had 
been so severely wounded in the action at Honey Hill as to be 
unfit for active service, and a further delay occurred until special 
instructions could be obtained by the mustering officer. 



76 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



Reports having been continually received at district headquar- 
ters, that, since the return of the expedition to Eutaw Springs, 
outrages had been constantly perpetrated on the colored people 
at many points in St. Andrews' Parish, and that, notwithstanding 
the surrender of Lee and Johnston, and the President's proclama- 
tion, they were still continued, the Fifty-fifth received orders, May 
2, to be in readiness, with six days' rations, to proceed to Adams' 
Run, and a section of the Third New- York Battery was sent over 
to accompany them. Meanwhile Capt. Torrey, of Gen. Hartwell's 
staff, started out, in company with Capt. Ellsworth, Lieut. Gan- 
net, and Sergt. Fountain, with a flag of truce, to communicate, if 
possible, with Major Jenkins, said to be in command of the cavalry 
in our front ; but he failed to find either Major Jenkins or any of 
his command. 

May *3. The orders for the advance to Adams' Run were 
countermanded ; and the artillery started for the wharf, to return 
to Charleston, but was met by an order to remain at St. Andrews, 
and await further instructions. 

Orders were soon after received for the troops at St. Andrews 
to proceed, by the south bank of the Ashley River, to Bacon's 
Bridge, and, crossing at that point, to report to Gen. Hartwell, 
who, in command of the Twenty-fifth Ohio, Fifty-fourth New- York, 
and One-hundred-and-second United-States Colored Troops, was to 
follow the north bank to that point, and occupy Summerville. On 
the morning of May 7, the Fifty-fifth having been relieved by the 
Fifty-fourth Massachusetts, and, having stored baggage and camp 
equipage in Charleston, marched from St. Andrews as directed. 
The commanding officer was furnished with official copies of the 
agreement between Gen. Grant and Gens. Lee and Johnston, and 
was instructed to keep a small advance guard, in charge of a com- 
missioned officer, constantly ahead of the column, who were to 
display a flag of truce on the appearance of any troops, and on no 
account to fire unless fired upon. 

The following officers were at this time on detached service, and 
did not accompany the regiment; viz., Capt. Goodwin, acting 
assistant inspector-general Northern district, Lieut. Ladd, acting 
assistant provost-marshal of the same, and Lieut. Jewett, act- 
ing assistant adjutant-general at Gen. Hatch's headquarters. 
Capt. Torrey and Lieut. Gannett were on Gen. Hartwell's staff. 
After a march of eighteen miles, over a good and well-shaded road, 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



77 



the command halted for the night, at the junction of a small creek 
with the Ashley River ; and an effort was made to communicate 
with Gen. Hartwell, by means of Coston Signals. The effort was 
unsuccessful, however, on account of the low ground and dense 
foliage, though a rocket sent up by Gen. Hartwell was seen, and 
the drums, at tattoo, could be heard on both sides. About three 
miles from the St. Andrews Camp, the rebel line of defence was 
passed, overgrown with grass and weeds, and never, apparently, a 
very formidable work. At the creek-crossing, near St. Andrews' 
Church, however, were found two or three dismantled batteries, 
which completely commanded the narrow causeway by which the 
road passed through a wide rice-swamp. At the Bee's-Ferry Road, 
a regular bastioned fort, with embrasures for fourteen guns, and 
all the timber felled for three or four hundred yards around, was 
located directly in the centre of the crossing. 

Just after tattoo roll-call, this evening, a sad affair occurred in 
Company K. Privates Lewis Dickinson and John Shaw had been 
engaged in some dispute, while cleaning their guns at the close of 
the day's march ; and the latter had threatened to kill the former, 
though no one supposed him serious. After the roll had been 
called, however, he approached Dickinson, and, striking him on the 
temple with a thick sapling, fractured his skull so that he died in 
a few moments. 

Dickinson was buried the next morning, before the day's march 
commenced, on the banks of the Ashley ; and Shaw was taken 
along under a strong guard. He was afterward tried and convicted 
of murder by a court-martial, but escaped punishment in conse- 
quence of informality in the proceedings, or calling of the court. 

Bacon's Bridge, over the Ashley, is approached from the south 
over a level and open road, while the north bank is a high bluff, 
offering a natural defence, which the rebels had made more formi- 
dable by the construction of earthworks. Starting at an early 
hour, May 8, the regiment joined the rest of the command on the 
outskirts of the village of Summerville. At a small house on the 
line of this morning's march was found an old white man, who 
actually showed some enthusiasm at the sight of the old flag, and 
greeted it with hat in hand and tears in his eyes. 

After a brief rest, the brigade entered the village of Summer- 
ville, and, after marching through the principal streets, went into 
camp by regiments, on different sides of the town ; the Fifty-fifth 



78 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



on the Bacon's-Bridge Road, on the slope of a hill just above the 
boundary creek. Companies B and F were detailed as provost- 
guard. 

Summerville, about twenty-one miles from Charleston, on the 
line of the South-Carolina Railroad, is built on rolling land, well 
wooded with oak and pine, and watered by numerous springs and 
brooks. It was the summer residence of many of the business men 
of Charleston. Two large rebel hospitals had been established 
there, as it was noted as a healthy location. 

May 9. Company E, under Lieut. W. C. Roberts, was ordered 
to Ridgeville, to assist the engineers in rebuilding a railroad-bridge 
at that place. They rejoined the regiment on the 10th, and, on 
the 11th, Companies A, C, D, and Gr were sent by rail to the same 
village, to rebuild the bridges and trestle-work over the creeks of 
Four-Hole Swamp. This detachment, under Capt. Hamilton, 
camped directly in Ridgeville ; but so good was the discipline, 
that a resident declared that the only private property missing, 
when they left, was one fence-rail ! The good behavior of the men 
there is the more noticeable, as Ridgeville had been reported, 
probably with truth, as the rendezvous of some of the bands who 
had been prominent in the persecution of the freed people. 

May 12. The camp of the regiment was changed to the oppo- 
site side of the road and stream, the land being higher and the 
situation better. The field and staff took possession of the desert- 
ed house of a captain of the rebel army, who, by the way, had 
the coolness to write a note asking that he might be allowed rent 
for it. May 13. Adjt. McKay rejoined the regiment, but was at 
once, detailed as acting assistant adjutant-general of the brigade. 
On the same day, Companies B and F were relieved as provost- 
guard ; and the four companies from Ridgeville rejoined the 
regiment, having been relieved by the Twenty-fifth Ohio. The 
provost-duty from this date was done by successive details from the 
different regiments. 

Sunday, May 14. The camp was visited by the district comman- 
der, Gen. Hatch. On the same day the churches in the village 
were opened. Most of the officers of the Fifty-fifth attended the 
Episcopal, where the officiating clergyman fully accepted the situa- 
tion, reading the prayer for the President clearly and distinctly. 
It had been ordered, that all enlisted men attending the churches 
should have places in the galleries ; and some dissatisfaction was 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



79 



occasioned by the action of a non-commissioned officer on guard 
at the Baptist Church, who admitted white soldiers to the floor, 
but excluded colored. This seemed, however, on investigation, to 
have been in consequence of a misunderstanding in regard to the 
orders. 

May 16 and 17. All the men unfit for duty at St. Andrews, 
who had been left there in charge of Lieut. Harman, mostly worth- 
less recruits, were sent to general hospital ; and the remainder, 
convalescents and others, rejoined the regiment with that officer. 

May 17. The regiment was inspected by Major Culp, the dis- 
trict inspector. 

May 18. The regiment again prepared for a move. The bag- 
gage was packed and transported to the railroad-station ; and the 
regiment itself took up its quarters for the night in the Hospital 
Barracks, near by, to await transportation to Orangeburg. 

So great had been the change of opinion in regard to colored 
troops, during the stay of the brigade at Summerville, that ladies 
who, at first, would not venture into the streets, had often invited 
officers of the two colored regiments to their houses, or met them 
at the houses of others on friendly terms ; and a deputation was 
actually sent to Gen. Hatch, headed by the mayor of the place, to 
request that the Fifty-fifth might be allowed to remain at Summer- 
ville ! 

May 19. The regiment proceeded, by railroad, to Orangeburg, 
some sixty miles west of Summerville, in the direction of Colum- 
bia. The progress toward Orangeburg was slow ; for the track was 
in bad condition, especially near Branchville, where a portion of 
one of Sherman's Corps had passed. In many places the track 
was so overgrown with weeds and grass as to cause the wheels of 
the engine to slip as if they were greased. The train, however, 
arrived within two miles of Orangeburg before sunset ; but here 
all signs of a track ended. There were the embankments and 
cuttings of the road and numerous iron bars twisted into coils, 
spirals, and other figures, but no sleepers and no rails : this was 
the condition of things, for miles toward Columbia, — the work of 
Sherman's men. 

The regiment bivouacked in an open field, by the railroad ; and 
the train was unloaded and sent back to Summerville. The Fifty- 
fifth had been ordered to occupy the town, but it was found that 
another regiment had already done so without orders. 



80 FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 

May 20. Major Nutt, who had been placed in charge of the 
artillery, wagon-train, and guard, arrived after a rapid march over 
a hard road. Gen. Hartwell also arrived, and the remainder of 
the brigade. Brigade headquarters were established in the 
town ; and the regimental band was sent to play in the square in 
front, during the evening. Sunday, May 21. Nearly a thousand 
of the colored people of Orangeburg and vicinity visited the regi- 
ment, to see the " Black Yankees," witness the parade, and attend 
the religious services of the day. Chaplain Bowles preached an 
able, appropriate, and earnest sermon from Isaiah xviii. 7. 

No objection was made to the presence of visitors during the 
day, but the rule was adopted to clear the camp of all strangers 
at retreat. 

May 22. The regiment passed through the town, marching by 
platoons, to the music of the band, to a position assigned them 
about a mile beyond. The location was a fine one, a gently slop- 
ing hillside, covered with a pine growth, with a good-sized brook at 
its foot. It had been occupied as a camping-ground by the British 
in the Revolution, and by several of the rebel battalions at the 
commencement of the rebellion. The chief objection to the place 
was the scanty supply of water in summer. The baggage and 
camp equipage was brought up as speedily as possible, and the 
camp was arranged on the supposition that the command would 
remain there for a considerable time. 

The One-hundred-and-second United-States Colored Troops was 
afterward located by the side of the Fifty-fifth, and the Fifty-fourth 
New- York on the other side of the brook or branch, nearer the 
town. 

May 24. Gen. Hatch and staff met the rebel generals, Lovell 
and Preston, and staffs, at Orangeburg, all being in full uniform, 
and making quite a display. The purpose of the meeting was not 
known. 

As many officers as could be spared from the regiment were 
now detailed, and employed to assist in arranging contracts 
between the planters and the freed people. A commission was ap- 
pointed, of which Lieut.-Col. Fox and Capt. Soule were members 
from the Fifty-fifth, to have a general oversight of labor contracts. 
A court was also organized for the trial of offences committed by 
civilians. 

May 29. Lieut.-Col. Fox, and Capt. R. J. Hamilton, received 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



81 



thirty days' leave, and started for the North. Col. Fox, finding 
that personal matters required his presence at home, and receiving 
information that the regiment would probably be retained in ser- 
vice its complete term, forwarded his resignation, which was ac- 
cepted June 24. Major Nutt and Capt. W. Pratt were promoted 
to fill the respective vacancies of lieutenant-colonel and major. 
In June, Lieut. Harman resigned, and went North. July 1. Surg. 
Brown resigned at the expiration of three years' service, and Asst.- 
Surg. Wilder was appointed surgeon. 

Brigade headquarters continued at Orangeburg until the regi- 
ment went North, but the command was much broken up. The 
Twenty-fifth Ohio, a few days after their arrival at Orangeburg, 
was sent on to Columbia, forty miles distant, whence they fur- 
nished garrisons for Newberry, Chester, and Camden. Of the 
Fifty-fifth, Companies A and I, under Capt. Woodward, were sta- 
tioned at Fort Motte, near the junction of the Congaree and 
Wateree Rivers ; Company G- at Branchville, under Capt. Hamil- 
ton, and Companies B, D, E, and F, under Capt. Thurber, were 
detailed as provost-guard at Orangeburg, and encamped in a pleas- 
ant grove on the edge of the town, the rest of the regiment con- 
tinuing in their old camp in the pine woods beyond the town. 
The Fifty-fourth New- York Volunteers occupied a grove, near 
the railroad. In July, the One-hundred-and-second United- 
States Colored Troops, Col. Chipman, a fine regiment recruited in 
Michigan, was sent to Winnsboro', thirty miles above Columbia. 
Small posts of two or three men each were stationed at different 
points within a radius of twenty miles from Orangeburg, to settle 
petty disputes and difficulties. The whites protested in terror 
against colored troops being sent out for this purpose, but finally 
were as urgent in begging that they might be kept there. The con- 
duct of these squads was never complained of, and their good sense 
and impartiality were much praised. Capt. Grant was detailed as 
post quartermaster, and until the South-Carolina Railroad was 
turned over to its owners, he had charge of its management, from 
Orangeburg to Charleston. Lieut. Gannett continued provost- 
marshal as long as the regiment stayed. Capt. Soule acted as 
chairman for the " Commission on Labor," until July 17, when he 
was appointed provost-judge, in which capacity he acted until the 
departure of the regiment. During the sessions of " Judge" 
Soule's Court, in Orangeburg, the influx of litigants, and their 

11 



82 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



counsel and witnesses was large and of extremely variegated 
appearance. The Court, on its circuit about the county in an old 
ambulance, although laboring under disadvantages from heavy 
roads, hot weather, and worn-out mules, nevertheless secured 
respect and confidence. Two resident lawyers, Messrs. Ellis and 
De Treville, acted as advisory members of the court, and certainly 
did themselves great credit by their fairness to the blacks, and 
their endeavor to strengthen loyalty among the whites. 

The Fourth of July was celebrated with a review of all the 
troops, firing of salutes, music, &c. The inhabitants of the town, 
and from miles around, black and white, turned out to witness the 
military display. Many were the gray uniforms to be seen among 
the crowd, the wearers of which must have seen with surprise the 
precision of the firings, marching, and drill of the colored regi- 
ments. 

Several of the enlisted men were married at Orangeburg, and 
about a dozen of the brides returned with the regiment to Boston. 
Although it is somewhat unsoldierly to tattle in regard to the 
lighter amusements with which war-worn veterans regale them- 
selves in garrison towns, it may not be amiss to say that very 
many of the officers, in all grades, from the youthful lieutenant of 
the South Shore to the general commanding the brigade and his 
staff, solaced their leisure hours, by respectful and decorous 
attentions to the fair Carolinian ladies, of whom there were a 
goodly number willing to consort with Yankees, and even with 
officers of negro troops ! The Orphan Asylum, which had been 
moved from Charleston to avoid the shelling, was the chief focus 
of attraction, as it is well known that all religiously inclined New- 
Englanders have ineradicable prejudices in favor of school-teach- 
ers, especially toward those gifted with graces of person, as well 
as beauty of mind. There were a large number of refugees from 
Charleston remaining at Orangeburg, and many of these, and many 
of the resident families, interchanged civilities with the officers, 
inviting them freely to their houses, and showing themselves appre- 
ciative of courtesy and ready to return kindness. 

During the stay at Orangeburg, speculation was rife as to 
whether the regiment would be retained in the service for its full 
term, or would be discharged with the Massachusetts white troops, 
Meanwhile the summer wore away. Every one was as busily occu- 
pied as the heat allowed in the multifarious business of settling 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



83; 



the countless disputes and difficulties in the district, and in keep- 
ing a reasonable degree of order and quiet. Some time in July, 
Gen. Carl Schurz visited the town, and was conveyed to Columbia 
and back, upon his Southern " tour of inspection." All were 
anxious to be at home and out of service ; but every thing looked 
as if their stay in South Carolina might continue indefinitely, as 
it was evident that some troops must remain, and there were not 
then regulars enough to take their place. Orders for muster out 
at last came. Officers and clerks at once went to work on the 
rolls, and the camp was alive with exultation and delight at the 
prospect of a return home. Aug. 24. The Fifty-fifth broke camp, 
the detached companies came in, the line was formed along the 
railroad track in front of the Orphan Asylum, the baggage and 
finally the men were loaded upon the long train of rickety bag- 
gage cars, and amidst the kindly farewells of many white friends, 
and the enthusiastic shouts of the entire colored population, with 
the lively music of the Fifty-fifth Band, the regiment moved away 
from Orangeburg. The Fifty-fourth New- York Regiment was drawn 
up in line to bid them adieu. The two regiments had long been 
brigaded together, and no discord or ill feeling had ever occurred. 
The Fifty-fifth men and the Fifty-fourth, which was composed of 
Germans, had marched, drilled, fought, and encamped side by 
side, and loud and hearty were the parting cheers they gave each 
other. 

The piney fragrance of the hillside camp at Orangeburg, the 
Southern beauty of its long street, the friendliness of many of its 
people, the pleasant trips into the surrounding country, and all the 
incidents of garrison life, will dwell in the memories of men and 
officers in marked contrast with previous experiences of camp life 
on the low and dreary sand-hills of Folly Island. 

On reaching Charleston, the regiment was ferried across the har- 
bor to Mount Pleasant, and there encamped in a live-oak grove by 
the water-side. After a busy week of working at the rolls, the 
regiment was mustered out, Aug. 29, by Capt. Robinson ; but it 
could not be formally discharged until its return to Massachusetts. 
Sept. 6. Companies A, B, F, G, H, and I, under Lieut.-Col. Nutt, 
sailed for Boston in the steamer " Karnac ; " and, Sept. 14, the 
steamer " Ben Deford " steamed out of the harbor with companies 
C, D, B, and K, and the band, under Gen. Hartwell. The " De- 
ford " had a very rough passage, and was twice struck by lightning, 



84 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



which somewhat shattered the masts. She weathered the storm, 
and, Sept. 20, landed her troops at Galloupe's Island, in Boston 
Harbor, where the " Karnac " had arrived Sept. 13. 

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Fifty-fifth was paid off, and discharged 
from the service of the United States. On the following Monday, 
the regiment was received at Boston by the recruiting committee, 
and by a committee of the colored citizens, and marched through 
some of the streets to the Common, escorted by Capt. Gaul's com- 
pany of militia, the " Shaw Guard," and several associations of 
colored citizens. The streets were lined with friendly spectators, 
and cheers and hearty greetings told plainly enough of the confi- 
dence and regard that the regiment had secured for itself at home. 
After a " Dress Parade " on the Common, the last orders were 
given, " The Parade is dismissed ! " " Break ranks, march ! " An 
hour was given to a bountiful collation furnished by the friends of 
the regiment, to greetings from those of "the home friends who had 
succeeded in " getting inside," and to parting words with com- 
rades. The regiment then quietly disbanded, most of the men 
taking the afternoon trains for their homes at the West. 32 com- 
missioned officers and 822 enlisted men were mustered out ; of 
these, 18 officers and 653 men had left Readville in 1863, and had 
served with the regiment from its organization. 



LETTERS FROM GOVERNOR ANDREW. 



During the long interval between the enlistment of the Fifty- 
fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, and their first 
payment as soldiers, Governor Andrew spared no labor in urging 
upon the authorities at Washington the justice of according to 
these troops their proper pay. Copies of the letters, from which 
extracts are given below, were sent to Col. Hartwell by the Gover- 
nor's military . secretary, together with the printed opinion of 
Atty.-Gen. Bates, upon the claim of Chaplain Harrison, of the 
Fifty-fourth, to full officer's pay. It would be impossible to repro- 
duce here the whole, or a tithe, of the voluminous correspondence 
bearing upon this subject ; but the following extracts will show its 
spirit : — 

Boston, March 24, 1864. 
To His Excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. 

Sir, — I beg leave to submit to your consideration by this communica- 
tion and accompanying papers, the case of the Rev. Samuel Harrison, lately 
chaplain of the Fifty- fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. 

Mr. Harrison was duly elected chaplain of the Fifty-fourth Massachu- 
setts Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 22, 1863 ; was commissioned by me as such, 
Sept. 8, 1863 ; and was mustered into the service of the United States, 
Nov. 12, 1863, at Morris Island, S.C., by Charles A. Brooks, mustering 
officer. 

On demanding his pay as chaplain, of the United-States paymaster at 
Hilton Head, he was met by the following refusal in writing, viz. : — 

Hilton Head, S.C., Feb. 6, 1864. 
Samuel Harrison, chaplain of the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Vol- 
unteers (colored troops), asks pay at the usual rate, $100 per month, and two 
rations, which, he being of African descent, I decline paying, under Act of Con- 
gress, passed July 17, 1862, employing persons of African descent in military 
service of the United States. The chaplain declines to receive any thing less. 

A. Ten Eyck, Paymaster U.S.A. 



86 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



I respectfully ask your Excellency's attention, as a preliminary inquiry, 
' to the manner in which the Fifty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volun- 
teers (and its companion the Fifty-fifth) were organized. 

They were organized as Massachusetts Volunteers, precisely in the 
same manner as were other regiments of State volunteers, and under the 
following order of the War Department, viz. : — 

War Department, 
Washington City, Jan. 26, 1863. 

Ordered. — That Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, is authorized, until 
further orders, to raise such number of volunteer companies of artillery for duty 
in the forts of Massachusetts and elsewhere, and such corps of infantry for the 
volunteer military service, as he may find convenient; such volunteers to be 
enlisted for three years or until sooner discharged, and may include persons of 
African descent, organized into separate corps. He will make the usual needful 
requisitions on the appropriate staff-bureaus and officers for the proper transporta- 
tion, organization, supplies, subsistence, arms, and equipments of such volunteers. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

In no respect do the troops raised and organized under this order 
differ, as to provision by the order for their organization, rights, liabilities, 
or pay, from any other regiments of volunteers. And admitting, for the 
sake of argument, that any men mustered as soldiers, and doing a soldier's 
duty, can be rightly turned off with less than a soldier's pay, still, these 
two regiments from Massachusetts are under no such possible disability. 
They were raised, enlisted, mustered, sworn in, and used under the 
laws for raising and accepting volunteers. They stand in every respect, 
as the foregoing order shows, upon the same law which supports the rights 
of white soldiers. The order of the President of the United States, issued 
under the hand of the Secretary of War ; the contract of enlistment, the 
muster-rolls, and the commissions of their officers, — are all evidence of the 
identity of these regiments in rights and legal character, with all other 
regiments of State volunteers. They were raised in direct pursuance of, 
in specific reference and conformity to, and by express words under, the 
Act of Congress, for the recruitment and acceptance of State volunteers ; 
and the laws for the payment of the volunteer army of the United States 
apply to these men, or they apply to nobody. Under the 11th section of 
the 195th chapter of the Acts of 1862, the President is specifically author- 
ized to employ persons of African descent, and for this purpose he may 
organize and use them in such manner as he may judge best for the public 
welfare. Acting through the Secretary of War, the President did think 
best to cause these men to be organized into regiments as volunteer sol- 
diers, under the Act of Congress for the acceptance of volunteers. They 
became such volunteers by the concurrent act of the Government and them- 
selves. But before the passage of this act, indeed, your Excellency was 



LETTERS FROM GOVERNOR ANDREW. 



87 



not restricted to the acceptance of white men, by the laws authorizing you 
to accept volunteers. A man of African descent has always been compe- 
tent to be enlisted into the regular army of the United States, or into the 
navy of the United States, and to be employed in any arm of either ser- 
vice. In the navy, men of color have always been employed, and have been 
paid according to the grade of their employment. Even in the army, col- 
ored men, acting in the capacity of stevedores, and as employes of the 
quartermaster's and ordnance departments, have been and are employed, 
and are paid according to the value of their services, — sometimes, as I am 
informed, even at the rate of one dollar by the day. So that not only is the 
distinction made by the paymaster against these troops contrary to the law 
and to justice, but opposed to the daily practice of the Government itself. 
\_The remainder of this letter is devoted to the case of Chaplain Harrison.^ 
I have the honor to be your Excellency's obedient servant, 

John A. Andrew. 

Boston, May 13, 1864. 

To the President of the United States. 

Sir, — I respectfully call to the attention of your Excellency the case 
of the Rev. Samuel Harrison (lately chaplain of the Fifty -fourth Regi- 
ment of Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers), and the communication which 
I had the honor to address to your Excellency on the twenty-fourth day of 
March last, and the decision of the Attorney -General of the United States 
on the questions of law involved in the case, which decision was submitted 
by him to your Excellency, under date of the twenty-third day of April 
last, and concluded in the following words, viz. : — 

Your attention having been specially called to the wrong done in this case, 
I am also of opinion, that your constitutional obligation to take care that the 
laws be faithfully executed makes it your duty to direct the Secretary of War 
to inform the officers of the pay department of the army that such is your view 
of the law ; and I do not doubt that it will be accepted by them as furnishing the 
correct rule for their action. 

Edw. Bates, Attorney-General. 

Addressed, " To the President. " 

As a proper representative of Chaplain Harrison, and also of all the 
non-commissioned officers and privates of the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth 
Regiments of Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers, the rights and interests 
of all of whom are involved in the settlement of the legal questions 
aforesaid, after having waited during a reasonable time for the consider- 
ation of the subject by your Excellency, I do hereby respectfully claim, 
and so much as in me lies, I do, by this appeal to your Excellency, hereby 
demand of and from the Executive Department of the Government of the 
United States, the just, full, and immediate payment to all the aforesaid 



88 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



officers and men, of the sums of money now due to them as volunteer sol- 
diers of the United States, serving in the field, according to the 5th section 
of the 9th chapter of the Acts of Congress of the year 1861, placing the 
officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the volunteer forces in 
all respects as to pay, on the footing of similar corps of the regular army. 
Already these soldiers — than whom none have been more distinguished 
for toilsome work in the trenches, fatigue duty in camp, and conspicuous 
valor and endurance in battle — have waited during twelve months, and 
many of them yet longer, for their just and lawful pay. 

Many of those who marched in these regiments from this Common- 
wealth have been worn out in service, or have fallen in battle on James 
Island, in the assault upon Fort Wagner, or in the affair of Olustee, yield- 
ing up their lives for the defence of their native country, in which they 
had felt their share of oppression, but from which they never had received 
justice. 

Many, also, yet linger, bearing honorable wounds, but dependent upon 
public charity, while unpaid by the Government of the nation the humble 
wages of a soldier, and sick at heart as they contemplate their own humilia- 
tion. 

Of others yet alive and remaining in the service, still fighting and 
wholly unpaid, the families have been driven to beggary and the almshouse. 

These regiments, sir, and others situated like these, stung by griefj 
and almost crazed by pangs with which every brave and true man on earth 
must sympathize, are trembling on the verge of military demoralization. 
Already one man of a South- Carolina regiment, raised under the orders of 
Maj.-Gen. Hunter, with the same interpretation of the laws of Congress 
now given them by the Attorney-General of the United States, has suffered 
the penalty of death for the military offence of mutiny, by refusing further 
obedience to his officers, and declaring that, by its own breach of faith, the 
Government of the United States had released him from his contract of 
enlistment as a soldier. The Government which found no law to pay him 
except as a nondescript and a contraband, nevertheless found law enough 
to shoot him as a soldier. 

In behalf of the sufferings of the poor and needy; of the rights of 
brave men in arms for their country ; of the statutes of Congress ; and of 
the honor of the nation, I pray your Excellency to interpose the rightful 
power of the Chief Executive Magistrate of the United States, who is 
bound by his oath " to take care that the laws be faithfully executed ; " and, 
by its immediate exercise, to right these Wrongs. 
I have the honor to remain 

Your Excellency's obedient servant, 

John A. Andrew, 

The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



89 



( Telegram.) 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
Executive Department, 

Boston, Feb. 7, 1864. 

Hon. Charles Sumner, ") TT _ 

TT TT , TT > U. S. Senators, 

Hon. Henry Wilson, j 

Washington, D.C. 

" The order under which the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
Kegiinents were raised, is in the following words, viz : — 

(As in letter of March 24, given above.) 

" Therefore, even if men employed under the $10 sections of the Act 
of July, 1862, are soldiers; or, if any soldiers, mustered and sworn as 
such, can be turned off with less than soldier's pay (which I deny as a 
lawyer), still our two regiments are not under such disabilities. 

" They were raised, enlisted, mustered, sworn in, and used, under the 
laws for raising and accepting volunteers, in every respect, as the foregoing 
order shows, standing on the same foundation of law which supports the 
rights of white soldiers. To deny them those rights, I declare as a lawyer, 
would not rise to the dignity of a respectable blunder. 

" At all events, Secretary Stanton's order, my published promise there- 
under, the written contracts of enlistment by the men, with their subsequent 
muster-in pursuant thereto, by the United-States regular mustering officer, 
are conclusive on the government. 

" I will never give up the rights of these men while I live, whether in this 
world, or the next. 

"John A. Andrew." 



12 



SKETCHES OF DECEASED OFFICEES. 



Major Pratt. — Wheelock Pratt was born in Sterling, Mass., May 
29, 1829. His father was Col. John B. Pratt, of the state militia, and his 
grandfather, Lieut. Joel Pratt, of the Continental Army. Aug. 9, 1860, 
he was married to Miss Anna R. Hildreth, in Hartford, Conn. A part of 
his early life was spent with a maternal uncle in Rochester, N.Y., and for 
several years before his marriage he resided in Georgia. In Sept. 1861, 
he enlisted in " C " Company, United-States Engineer Battalion, then under 
Capt. James B. McPherson, since Major-General of Volunteers, and Briga- 
dier-General U.S.A. Major Pratt served with his company through the penin- 
sular campaign, at Antietam, South Mountain, and Fredericksburg, until May 
1863, when he was commissioned Captain in the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts. 
Aug. 22, 1863, he was detailed for engineer duty in the trenches before Wag* 
ner, and had charge of the principal sap the morning our forces carried the 
work. The engineer officer desired to place him in charge of the reconstruc- 
tion of Battery Wagner ; but owing to a written protest, by the officers of the 
New York Engineers, against having an infantry captain of " niggers " put 
there, Capt. Pratt was placed in charge of Battery Chatfield, in rear of 
Cummings Point. While superintending the construction of that work, 
a shell from Fort Moultrie exploded near him, inflicting a slight wound 
on his face, and causing a permanent injury to the brain, which, three years 
later, Dec. 30, 1866, resulted in coma, paralysis, and death. 

Nov. 10, 1863, he was relieved from engineer duty, and from January 
to July, 1864, was detached as post ordnance officer at Morris Island ; 
from July, 1864 until the muster out of the regiment, he was in charge of 
the oi dnance depot of the department at Hilton Head. 

None but one skilled in engineering and ordnance, can appreciate the 
responsible and severe duties performed by Major Pratt, to the entire 
satisfaction of his superior officers. In Gen. Gillmore's report of his engi- 
neer and artillery operations against Charleston, he says, " Capt. W. 
Pratt, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, and Lieut. M. Adams, Fourth 



SKETCHES OF DECEASED OFFICERS. 



91 



New-Hampshire Volunteers, were the only infantry officers detailed for 
engineer duty. They rendered efficient services during the latter part of 
the siege." This from an officer not given to awarding to his subordi- 
nates credit for their services, is a great deal. 

Major Pratt was of large build, tall and erect. His bearing and man- 
ner showed him to be a natural soldier. Few volunteer officers approached 
so nearly to the model of an educated army officer, of the precise and for- 
mal school. He was somewhat stern in manner, and silent and reserved, 
except with intimate friends, to whom he revealed an affectionate, gentle 
nature, susceptible as a child's to any slight, but quick to forgive. 'A brave, 
single-hearted man, a faithful and intelligent soldier, his sad decease, just 
after the close of the war, when a useful and happy future was apparently 
before him, illustrates the truth that the best and bravest go first. 

Willi am D wight Crane was the son of Phineas M. and Susan 
Dwight Crane. He was born at East Boston, November 29, 1840. His 
father is a physician, and his grandfather, Elijah Crane, of Canton, was a 
major-general of militia, and Grand Master of the State Masonic Grand 
Lodge. William was an apt scholar and diligent student, taking diplomas 
and a Franklin Medal at the Boston Public Schools. He entered the 
Freshman Class of Harvard College, in July, 1859. While attending to 
his college studies, he cultivated his rather remarkable taste for vocal and 
instrumental music, and was employed in giving lessons upon the pianoforte, 
and as organist for the East-Boston Unitarian Society, of which he became 
a member. He left college in July, 1862, and enlisted as a private in 
Company D, Forty-fourth Massachusetts, with which regiment he served 
in North Carolina, until commissioned First Lieutenant, Fifty-fifth Massa- 
chusetts, June 7, 1863. He received his captain's commission upon the 
19th of the same month, and was assigned to Company H. He served 
constantly with his company, which he brought into fine condition. In the 
fall of 1864, he was placed in command of Fort Delafield on Folly Island, 
garrisoned by his own company, and there studied and drilled his men in 
artillery. In November, 1864, he acted as judge-advocate of a court-mar- 
tial. While acting in that capacity, he went on a short leave of absence 
with a brother officer to St. Helena. Returning to Hilton Head to take 
passage to Folly Island, he found that his regiment was lying in the stream, 
under marching orders for an expedition, and that his company had re- 
mained behind at Fort Delafield. He at once went to Col. Hartwell, who 
had been placed in command of a brigade, and, expressing a desire to go with 
the expedition, was assigned by that officer to the position of aid and chief 
of staff. His duties allowed him but little time for rest on the nights of 
the 28th and 29th November; but never was seen a brighter, happier face 
than Capt. Crane's, on the morning of the 30th, as he rode out with the 



92 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



troops on the Grahamville Koad. He was well aware that severe fighting 
must come during the day, and that he could hardly fail to be placed in 
the most exposed situations. But his mind was calm and serene. While 
the command rested near the brow of the hill, awaiting the order to de- 
scend the further slope, and join in the fierce conflict, Crane conversed with 
his friend Soule on home friends and on the chances before them. A few 
minutes brought the orders to advance. Crane mounted his horse, and rode 
at the head of the column. Almost as soon as he got under fire, his horse 
was wounded. When the charge was made up the causeway, Crane was 
conspicuous, and was plainly heard by the rebels, as one of their officers 
afterwards stated, calling out, " Come on, men ; they are only Georgia mi- 
litia!" When within perhaps one hundred yards of the enemy's works, 
he was seen to fall, shot through the head, probably by a solid shot, which 
caused instant death. Almost at the same moment his friend Capt. Boyn- 
ton, at the head of the company which led the charge, fell mortally 
wounded. As the enemy retained possession of the field, their bodies could 
not be recovered. But they received honorable burial at the enemy's hands. 
Col. Colcock, the rebel officer in charge of that portion of their line, states 
that he rode over the ground after the action, and was attracted by the 
appearance of the bodies of two officers lying opposite each other, one of 
dark and the other of light complexion ; that he stopped, and ordered up a 
burial party to bury them apart by themselves. And there, close by the 
spot where they fell, lie the remains of Crane and Boynton, united in 
death as in life. To those unacquainted with Capt. Crane, it might seem 
fulsome praise to say all that might with sincerity be said of him. Besides 
being a thorough officer, devoted to the faithful performance of his duties, 
he was trusted and beloved by every one who knew him. In appearance, 
he was slightly below the medium height, with square, broad shoulders, 
light hair, blue eyes, fresh, smooth face, and clear, ringing voice. His 
nature was a bright and happy one. His cheerful, social temperament 
and his fine singing brought him always a welcome. A sketch of his char- 
acter would be incomplete without reference to the strong religious turn of 
his mind. There are few whose lives, thoughts, and motives would bear a 
closer scrutiny than his, for purity and sincerity ; and none whose death has 
been more glorious. 

Winthrop Perkins Boynton was born in Boston, August 29, 1841. 
His parents were Perkins and Mary Anne Boynton. He was prepared for 
college in the public schools of Boston, entering as a Freshman at Harvard, 
in July, 1859. At college he was a faithful although not a brilliant scholar. 
He was a close student of natural science, was reserved and quiet in his 
manners, and an active gymnast. At the age of seventeen he joined the 
Bowdoin-square Baptist Church. He tritd in vain, before his graduation 



SKETCHES OF DECEASED OFFICERS. 



93 



from college in 1863, to get a, commission in the army. While assisting 
his friend Crane to drill his men at Readville, a commission as second lieu- 
tenant in the Fifty-fifth was issued to him, at his own urgent request, and 
by Crane's solicitations. The friends were in the same company for a con- 
siderable time. November 21, 1863, Boynton was promoted to a first- 
lieutenancy; and from July, 1864, he was in command of Company E. In 
September, 1864, he was detailed, with his company, on outpost-duty on 
Long Island. In the Broad River Expedition he was in command of 
Company D, which was the advance company of the charging column at 
Honey Hill. While bravely marching at the head of his men, encoura- 
ging them on by his sword and voice, he fell, wounded in the side ; rose, 
advanced a few steps, was again struck, and fell dead. Precisely at the 
same moment, but a few feet distant, his friend Crane met a soldier's death. 
Their bodies remained in the possession of the enemy, who buried them to- 
gether in a grave separated from the rest. Sad as their death was in some 
aspects, and deeply as their loss was mourned throughout the regiment, yet 
it seemed fitting that these two, whose lives had been so closely united, 
should fall together. 

" We tell their doom without a sigh." 

The brightest dreams of a soldier were realized in their gallant and heroic 
death. Both were enthusiastic and consistent in their devotion to the rights 
of the colored race. Worthy companions of Shaw, Russell, and Simpkins, 
they fell while leading on those " men of African descent " who loved and 
trusted them. Although the sounds of victory did not greet their dying 
ears, no less, on that account, was the triumph for the cause of freedom 
advanced by that day's record. 

Boynton, like Crane, was a man of singular purity of life and motive. 
In person he was rather tall, with erect and soldierly carriage, long and 
curling black hair, dark complexion, and cavalier face. He was modest 
and reserved, but determined and prompt. Whatever success the regi- 
ment gained must be ascribed in no small degree to the moral influence of 
men like Crane and Boynton. 

Dennis Hartwell Jones was born in Winchester, N.H., Feb. 8, 
1846, his parents removing the subsequent summer to Brattleboro', Vt., 
where they resided until January, 1857, when they removed to Boston, 
Mass., and, in 1858, to Jamaica Plain. The boy, notwithstanding these 
changes, seems to have done well at his various schools. The breaking-out 
of the war found him a schoolboy, full of enthusiasm, and eager to enter the 
army, but restrained by filial reasons until July, 1862, when, by his parents' 
full consent, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer 
Militia, being then only sixteen years old. The fact that Col. F. L. Lee 
(of the Forty-fourth), among the first advocates and friends of colored 



94 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



troops, thought him worthy to take a commission in the Massachusetts 
colored regiments, is pointed out with honest pride by his parents as evi- 
dence of his worth as a soldier and as a man. He was commissioned First 
Lieutenant in the Fifty-fifth, and went into camp at Readville, June 8, 1863, 
being assigned to Company I. In consequence of Capt. Gordon's illness, 
he had command of his company for a long time. His nature was affec- 
tionate and confiding ; his manners quiet, and unassuming, securing him the 
love and respect of his company and of his brother officers. A journal 
kept by him to record the daily routine of duties shows how constant and 
severe a service he was subjected to, in the trenches and on picket 
and guard ; but not a word appears reflecting the slightest degree of dis- 
content or discouragement, but a spirit of cheerfulness, and of willing devo- 
tion to his duty, pervades every page. 

Lieut. Jones accompanied the regiment to Florida, and went with his 
company in the Yellow Bluff detachment. 

Here, March 23, 1864, while on a scouting expedition outside of the 
lines, his party were, as they supposed, attacked by rebel scouts, who 
turned out to be some men from the New-York Engineers out in search of 
beef. In the confusion caused by this mistake, Lieut. Jones was shot by 
the accidental discharge of a comrade's pistol, and died instantly. The 
letters of his companions in the regiment show how closely they had be- 
come attached to him. The following extract from Col. Hart well's letter 
to Col. Lee, of March 29, 1864, simply expresses the feeling of the regi- 
ment : " Besides what you will be able to say about him, from his service 
under you, will you add my testimony that Dennis Hartwell Jones has 
most faithfully, honorably, and satisfactorily discharged his duty in my 
regiment ; that I deeply regret his loss, as of an officer always efficient, 
amiable, and gentlemanly, and that this is the feeling of us all. It did 
Jones good to assume the responsibilities of his position here. He had 
developed into a stronger and nobler man than when he came to us, and I 
had come to respect and love him very much." 

Edwin Ruthven Hill was born April 18, 1832, at Salem, Mass. 
He was married Sept. 6, 1852, to Abby E. H. Kinsley. He early learned 
the shoemaker's trade, but afterwards learned and worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade. He enlisted and served in the Mexican War, returning home 
at its close quite worn out with the exposure and hardships of service. At 
the breaking-out of the rebellion, he entered the service as First Lieutenant, 
Company C, Second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry ; but ill-health com- 
pelled him to resign and return home at the close of the year 1861. When 
the cadets were called out in 1862, although he was still suffering from a 
recent surgical operation, he went with them into service at Fort Warren, 
where he remained until October, 1862. In December, 1863, he enlisted as 



SKETCHES OF DECEASED OFFICERS. 



95 



a Private in the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, with which he served as a 
most efficient non-commissioned officer, until his commission as a Second Lieu- 
tenant in the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts. Lieut. Hill was no ordinary man. 
Cool, discreet, and fearless, he was naturally fitted for the army. His frame 
was firmly knit, tough, and sinewy. His words were few ; and it was observ- 
able that he seldom talked of himself, and that he answered inquiries of 
those who had heard of his varied military experience in a most modest 
way. The short time that he was in the regiment sufficed to secure for 
him the thorough respect and confidence of his comrades and superiors ; 
and his early loss was, with reason, deeply regretted. The regiment was 
honored by the knightly service and heroic death of this man. His widow 
still resides in Salem, respected by her neighbors, who have heard what 
manner of man her quiet, unobtrusive husband had been. 

Lieut. Leonard Case Alden's commission was the first issued in 
the Fifty-fifth Regiment, " and his," to quote the words of Col. Hallowell, 
" was the first life demanded." The honor of being first was not new to 
him. At the " primary school kept [by Ma'am Goodrich] in the basement 
of the Warren-street Chapel," at the Grammar, High, and Latin Schools, 
and at college, he was, if not always nominally, yet really and confessedly, 
first in scholarship ; and, if he was not the first of his class (H. U. 1861) 
to enlist against the rebellion, it was only because he had sufficient reason 
for waiting till he did. At the Exhibition of May 7, 1861, he spoke, not 
needlessly, although after Sumter, against " Compromise." Two years 
later (May 12, 1863), he added his sword to the cause which he had de- 
fended with his voice. At the College Commencement, the subject of his 
" part " was " National Character elevated by National Affliction." Dying 
in the army hospital at Hilton Head, Oct. 5, 1863, he purified the grief of 
kindred and friends by his high example of patriotic devotion. His death, 
indeed, was almost predestined ; and, more than the average soldier, he 
might have expected never to return from the campaign to which he 
marched. All whom he consulted before enlisting, even his future Colonel, 
who afterwards yielded to his inflexible determination, counselled him 
rather to stay at home, and use his powerful intellect in behalf of the same 
great end. This advice might have been heeded if military service had 
not offered, besides the chance of sacrifice for his country, an opportunity 
of testifying directly against the iniquity of slavery, and the prejudice 
which declared the blacks only fit to be slaves. Hence he chose the field, 
and a place in a colored regiment. He was firmly built, not strong, with 
neither the appearance nor necessary endurance of a soldier, and having a 
chronic difficulty in his throat, which, as frequently, was accompanied by 
exceeding deafness. Such bodily defects would have been the safeguard 
of a coward against conscience and conscription. He only said, the coun- 



98 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



try needs even me ; and entreated to be passed. His infirmity somewhat 
isolated him in the regiment, and the loneliness of his death-bed is too 
painful to imagine. He fell, like thousands of others, before the malaria, 
the most puissant ally of the Confederates. 

In Mr. Higginson's " Harvard Memorial Biographies " will be found 
particulars of Alden's life which cannot be related here. Among all the 
curious juxtapositions in which our civil war, like every other, abounded, 
that to which our lamented comrade contributed could not easily be ex- 
celled. Born in Boston, Dec. 22, 1839, he was a lineal descendant of 
John Alden, of the " Mayflower," and on this side received Teutonic blood 
in his veins. By his mother, he was, not remotely, related to French 
Huguenots. And if the chivalry of Charleston and the Sea Islands had 
been asked to name the most unnatural compound that could be opposed to 
them in an " unnatural " war, they would surely have said, " One of our 
blood, — the boasted Huguenot, — soiled with the admixture of ' Dutch ' 
and ' Pilgrim ' strains, born in Boston on Forefather's Day, and leading a 
company of ' niggers ' against us ! " 

John Freeman Shorter was born in Washington, D.C., in the year 
1842. His father was for a long time messenger in the United-States Sen- 
ate. At the time of his enlistment, Lieut. Shorter was working as a 
mechanic in Delaware, Ohio. With few early advantages, he had acquired 
by hard study a good English education. In the spring of 1863, hearing 
of the organization of the Massachusetts regiments, he left home, and 
joined the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, then recruiting at Readville. June 24, 
1864, he was appointed First Sergeant of Company D. In this position, he 
proved himself to be an excellent Orderly. Quiet, reserved, modest, he 
yet held his company in the firmest control. With every soldierly quality, 
from scrupulous neatness to unflinching bravery, he well merited the repu- 
tation of the best non-commissioned officer in the regiment. As such, he 
was selected for the first promotion from the ranks, and was commissioned 
as Second Lieutenant by Gov. Andrew, March 24, 1864. The department 
commander (Brig. -Gen. John P. Hatch) refused him a discharge as Pri- 
vate and muster as Lieutenant, because " men of African descent could not 
be commissioned in the United-States Volunteers ! " While occupying the 
anomalous position of an officer commissioned and not yet mustered, he 
was wounded in the foot, at Honey Hill, S.C., Nov. 30, 1864. By this 
wound he was so severely crippled, that, when the Secretary of War 
finally decided to recognize colored line-officers, a special order was neces- 
sary to authorize his remuster. Notwithstanding this wound, he continued 
on duty with the regiment after returning from the hospital, and was finally 
mustered as Second Lieutenant, July 1, 1865. When the Fifty-fifth returned 
to Massachusetts, he accompanied them, and was discharged with his 



SKETCHES OF DECEASED OFFICERS. 



07 



company, Aug. 29, 1865. He set out directly for Delaware, Ohio, where 
the young lady resided to whom he was engaged to be married. On the 
way, he was exposed to the contagion of the small-pox, which his constitu- 
tion, weakened by wounds, could not resist ; and, soon after arriving at his 
destination, he died of varioloid. 

The officers and men of the regiment will retain him in very pleasant 
and honorable remembrance. In 'person he was tall, of muscular build, 
with head carried a trifle forward, hair light, complexion almost white, 
and blue eyes, whose lively expression brightened a face otherwise 
somewhat grave. He was very reticent ; but his few words were crisp, 
earnest, and to the point. A thorough soldier and a thorough man, he 
earned and worthily filled the grade to which he was promoted, and amply 
justified the friendship of the officers of the regiment and the State author- 
ities of Massachusetts, who had urged upon the United-States Government 
the justice and the policy of the final recognition of the rights of his race, 
implied in opening to them promotion from the ranks. 



13 



ROLL OF SURVIVING OFFICERS. 



Norwood Penrose Hallowell. — Colonel. Student. Married. 
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., April 13, 1839. Residence, when commis- 
sioned, Philadelphia, Pa. Graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 
1861. Joined Fourth Battalion Infantry, M.V.M., June 10, 1861, First 
Lieutenant Company H, Twentieth Massachusetts Infantry, June 10, 
1861. Captain Company D, Nov. 26, 1861. Severely wounded in left 
arm, at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. Lieutenant-Colonel Fifty-fourth Mas- 
sachusetts Infantry, April 17, 1863. Colonel Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
Infantry, June 24, 1863. Resigned, Nov. 2, 1863. Is now a wool com- 
mission merchant, and resides in New-York City. 

Alfred Stedman Haktwell. — Colonel. Student. Single. Born 
June 11, 1836, in West Dedham, Mass. Graduate of Harvard College in the 
Class of 1858. Occupation, on entering service, tutor at Washington Uni- 
versity, St. Louis, Mo. Served as Corporal Third Regiment Missouri Reserve 
Corps, three months' troops, May, 1861. First Lieutenant Company F, 
Forty-fourth Regiment, M.V.M., July, 1862, nine months' troops. Captain 
Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, March, 1863. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, May 30, 1863. Colonel Fifty-fifth Massachu- 
setts, Dec. 11, 1863. Brigadier- General, by brevet, United-States Volun- 
teers, Nov. 30, 1864. Retained in service in the Department of the 
South, and mustered out April 30, 1866. Returned to Law School, at 
Cambridge, September, 1866. Representative to the General Court from 
Natick, 1866-7. Admitted to practice of law, Feb. 18, 1867. Now 
practising law at No. 4, Court Street, Boston. Residence with parents, 
at South Natick, Mass. 

Charles Barnard Fox. — Lieutenant- Colonel. Civil Engineer. Mar- 
ried. Born in Newbury (now Newburyport), Mass., Jan. 17, 1833. 
Residence, when commissioned, Dorchester, Mass. Joined Fourth Battal- 
ion Rifles, M.V.M., April 17, 1861. Sergeant, May 23, 1861. Second 
Lieutenant Company K, Thirteenth Massachusetts Infantry, July 16, 1861. 



ROLL OF SURVIVING OFFICERS. 



99 



First Lieutenant, Aug. 16, 1862. First Lieutenant Second Massachusetts 
Cavalry, Dec. 1, 1863. Major Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, June 1, 
1863. Lieutenant-Colonel, Dec. 1, 1863. Brevet- Colonel United-States 
Volunteers, April 1, 1867, to rank from March 13, 1865. Resigned, June 
24, 1865. Represented the town of Dorchester in the State Legislature, 
in the session of 1865-6. Is now a clerk in the United-States Naval 
Office, Boston, and resides in Dorchester, Mass. 

William Nutt. — Lieutenant-Colonel. Shoemaker. Married. Born 
in Topsham, Vt., Aug. 5, 1836. Residence, when commissioned, Natick, 
Mass. Enlisted from Natick in May, 1861, in Company I, Second Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, and served therein as Corporal and Sergeant. Second 
Lieutenant Fifty -fourth Massachusetts Infantry, March 5, 1863. First 
Lieutenant, May 22, 1863. Captain Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, 
May 31, 1863. Major, Nov. 28, 1864. Lieutenant-Colonel, June 25, 1865. 
Brevet- Colonel United-States Volunteers, to date from March 13, 1865. 
Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now studying law, and 
acting as agent of Freedmen's Bureau, at Halifax Court House, Va. 
His family continue to reside in Natick. 

Sigourney Wales. — Major. Clerk. Single. Born in Boston, Mass., 
Sept. 5, 1836. Residence, when commissioned, Chelsea, Mass. Joined 
the Fourth Battalion Rifles, M.V.M., in the spring of 1861. Mustered 
into the service of the United States, July 16, 1861, as a Sergeant of 
Company C, Thirteenth Massachusetts Infantry. Served as Sergeant, First 
Sergeant, Sergeant-Major, Second Lieutenant, and Acting Adjutant, of Thir- 
teenth Massachusetts Infantry. Mustered as Captain Fifty-fifth Massachu- 
setts Infantry, May 23, 1863. Major, Dec. 1, 1863. Served as Acting 
Assistant Inspector- General on the staff of Generals Ames and Schimmel- 
pfennig, in the Department of the South. Resigned, Nov. 22, 1864. Is now 
a salesman in a dry-goods house, and resides in New York. 

William Symington Brown, M.D. — Surgeon. Physician. Married. 
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 9, 1822. Residence, when commissioned, 
South Reading, Mass. Served previously as Assistant Surgeon Thirty-third 
Massachusetts Infantry. Surgeon Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantiy, June 
9, 1863. Resigned, July 1, 1865, at expiration of three years' service. Is 
a practising physician in Stoneham, Mass. 

Burt Green Wilder, M.D. — Assistant Surgeon. Comparative Anat- 
omist. Single. Born in Boston, Mass., Aug. 11, 1842. Residence, when 
commissioned, Cambridge, Mass. Entered the service as Medical Cadet, 
U.S.A. Assistant Surgeon Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, May 25, 
1863. Surgeon, July 11, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 
29, 1865. Is now assistant in comparative anatomy at Museum of Zoology, 
Cambridge, Mass., and professor elect of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 

Warren Mason Babbitt. — Assistant Surgeon. Physician. Married. 



100 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



Born in Taunton, Mass., May 8, 1832. Residence, when commissioned, 
Braintree, Mass. Graduate of New- York Medical College in 1858. 
Examining Surgeon, Braintree, Mass., 1862. Assistant Surgeon Fifty-fifth 
Massachusetts Infantry, Sept. 14, 1863. Detailed away from regiment at 
Beaufort, S.C., Fredericksburg, Va., and Annapolis, Md., the greater part 
of the time until just before the action at Honey Hill, S.C. Left the regi- 
ment at Biggin Church, S.C, on the advance under General Potter, to 
join the One-hundred-and-third United-States Colored Infantry, of which 
he had been appointed Surgeon. Mustered out, to accept that appoint- 
ment, March 7, 1865. Was mustered out of the service, at Savannah, 
Ga., April 30, 1866. Is now a practising physician in Randolph, Mass. 

W. H. Lothrop. — Assistant Surgeon. Physician. Single. Born in 
Enfield, Mass., March 11, 1842. Residence, when commissioned, Boston, 
Mass. Graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1863. Private 
Forty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, August, 1862, to July, 1863. 
Assistant Surgeon Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, June 14, 1865. Mustered out 
with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a practising physician at No. 136, 
North Pauline Street, Chicago, 111. 

George B. Musset. — Quartermaster. Teacher. Married. Born in 
Newark Valley, Tioga County, N.Y., Feb. 14, 1834. Residence, when 
commissioned, Edgartown, Mass. Enlisted as Quartermaster Sergeant, 
Third Battalion First Massachusetts Cavalry. First Lieutenant and 
Quartermaster Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, May 15, 1863. Served 
as Brigade Quartermaster during the winter of 1863-4. Resigned, Aug. 
19, 1864. Is now a civil engineer on the Southern Central Railroad, and 
resides at Owego, Tioga County, N.Y. 

John Osborne Mo wry. — Quartermaster. Mechanic. Married. Born 
in Pelham, Mass., 1823. Residence, when commissioned, Athol, Mass. 
Served for two years as a Corporal in the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts 
Infantry. First Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, July 10, 
1863. Regimental Quartermaster, Aug. 20, 1864. Mustered out with 
regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Went to Illinois on business in the fall of 1865, 
intending, if successful, to remove his family. He started for the East in 
August, 1867. Has not since been heard from, and is presumed to be dead. 

William Penrose Hallowell. — Adjutant. Merchant. Married. 
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 18, 1833. Residence, when commissioned, 
Philadelphia, Pa. First Lieutenant and Adjutant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
Infantry, May 20, 1863. Resigned, on account of illness, Feb. 25, 1864. 
Has retired from business on account of ill health, and resides at Chilton 
Hills, Montgomery County, Pa. 

Leonard Battelle Perry. — Adjutant. Mining Engineer. Married. 
Born in Dover, Mass., Jan. 10, 1841. Residence, when commissioned, 
South Natick, Ma-s. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts In- 



ROLL OF SURVIVING OFFICERS. 



101 



fantry, July 17, 1863. First Lieutenant, Feb. 29, 1864. Appointed 
Adjutant, April 20, 1864. Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General Volun- 
teers, April 13, 1865. Mustered out upon resignation, under Special 
Order No. 539, Adjutant-General's Office, Oct. 23, 1865. Was detailed as 
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General at various headquarters, Department 
of the South, from June 1, 1864, until appointment as Assistant Adjutant- 
General. Is now a manufacturer of lumber, &c, and agent of the Rowls- 
burg Lumber and Iron Company, and resides at Rowlsburg, West Va. 

Charles W. Mutell. — Adjutant. Book-keeper. Married. Born 
in Chicopee, Mass., Aug. 12, 1843. Residence, when commissioned, 
Springfield, Mass. Enlisted as Private, Company A, Forty-sixth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, in August, 1862, and served nine months. Enlisted as 
Private in Company H, Forty-second Massachusetts Infantry, in June, 
1864. Appointed First Sergeant. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachu- 
setts Infantry, Dec. 13, 1864. First Lieutenant, June 25, 1865. Adju- 
tant, July, 1865. Brevet- Captain, United-States Volunteers, to date from 
March 13, 1865. Mustered out with the regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is 
now an insurance agent, and resides in Springfield, Mass. Is Adjutant of 
the First Battalion of Infantry, M.V.M. 

William Jackson. — Chaplain. Clergyman. Married. Born in 
Norfolk, Va., Aug. 16, 1818. His father was a pilot of that port, and was 
employed, during the war of 1812, in evading the British blockading fleet, 
and removed to Philadelphia after the Nat. Turner insurrection, in 1831, 
made Virginia a disagreeable place of residence for the free negroes. 
Served in the navy on board sloop " Vandalia," 1834-5. Joined the 
Baptist Church 1837, and, Sept. 16, 1842, was ordained as pastor of the 
Oak-street Baptist Church in Philadelphia. He afterward was settled at 
Newbury, N.Y., Wilmington, Del., again at Philadelphia, and finally 
at New Bedford, Mass. Was appointed Post Chaplain at Readville, Mass., 
March 10, 1863. Chaplain Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, July 14, 
1863. Resigned, Jan. 14, 1864. Is now pastor of the Salem Baptist 
Church in New Bedford, Mass. 

John R. Bowles. — Chaplain. Clergyman. Married. Born in Lynch- 
burg, Va., June 13, 1826. Residence, when commissioned, Chillicothe, Ohio. 
Chaplain Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, March 27, 1864. Resigned, 
June, 18.65. Present residence, Albany, Athens County, Ohio. 

Robert James Hamilton. — Captain. Clerk. Married. Born in 
Springfield, Mass., July 18, 1843. Residence, when commissioned, Spring- 
field, Mass. Entered the service of the United States in the Thirty-fourth 
Massachusetts Infantry, and served as First Sergeant. Captain Company G, 
Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, June 15, 1863. Brevet-Major United- 
States Volunteers, to date from March 13, 1865. Mustered out with regi- 
ment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now in business in Springfield, Mass. 



102 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



Charles Edward Grant. — Captain. Clerk. Single. Born in 
Boston, Mass., 1841. Eesidence, when commissioned, Boston, Mass. 
Entered the service of the United States in the Twenty-fourth Massachu- 
setts Infantry, in which regiment he was a Sergeant. Captain Company 
B, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, June 22, 1863. Mustered out with 
the regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now in business in Boston, Mass. 

Charles Carroll Soule. — Captain. Student. Single. Born in 
Boston, Mass., June 25, 1842. Eesidence, when commissioned, Brookline, 
Mass. Graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1862. First mus- 
tered into United-States service, as First Lieutenant and Adjutant Fourth 
Battalion Infantry, M.V.M., May 25, 1862, but, the battalion not being 
needed, was mustered out June 1, 1862. " Military Superintendent of Plan- 
tations," at Port Eoyal, S.C., from July to September, 1862. Private 
Forty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Oct. 6, and Second Lieuten- 
ant Oct. 22, 1862. Mustered out with regiment, June 18, 1863. Cap- 
tain Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, June 19, 1863. Brevetted 
Major, to date from March 13, 1865, but declined the brevet. Mustered 
out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. In business with Captain Thurber, at 
Charleston, S.C., from October, 1865, to April, 1866. Has since been a 
clerk at the bookstore of Little, Brown, & Co., Boston. Eesides in Brook- 
line. 

John Gordon. - — Captain. Student. Single. Born in Exeter, N.H., 
1843. Eesidence, when commissioned, Chelsea, Mass. Enlisted in the 
Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry, and served as Corporal. Captain 
Company I, Fifty -fifth Massachusetts Infantry, June 30, 1863. Eesigned, 
July 26, 1864. Is now a book-keeper for a firm in Boston, and resides in 
Chelsea, Mass. 

Charles Pickering Bowditch. — Captain. Student. Married. 
Born in Boston, Mass., 1842. Eesidence, when commissioned, Boston, 
Mass. Graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1863. Captain Com- 
pany A, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, July 7, 1863. Transferred to 
Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry, as Captain, June 7, 1864. Eesigned on 
account of illness, Aug. 23 ? 1864. His present residence and place of 
business is Genesee, N.Y. 

Frank Goodwin. — Captain Company E. Clerk. Single. Born in 
Boston, Mass., March 13, 1845. Eesidence, when commissioned, Boston, 
Mass. Served as Private, Company F, Forty-fourth Massachusetts In- 
fantry, August, 1862, to June, 1863. Captain Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
Infantry, July 20, 1863. Brevet-Major United-States Volunteers, to date 
from March 13, 1865. Served as Assistant Inspector-General on the staffs 
of Generals Hatch and Potter, in the Department of the South. Severely 
wounded in both thighs in the action on James Island, S.C., July 2, 1864. 
Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a salesman for man- 
ufacturers' articles, and resides in Boston. 



ROLL OF SURVIVING OFFICERS. 



103 



James Daxforth Thurber. — Captain. Married. Born in Ply- 
month, Mass., Feb. 21, 1839. Residence, when commissioned, Plymouth, 
Mass. Graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1858. Enlisted, Aug. 
12, 1862, as a Private, Company A, Thirteenth Massachusetts Infantry. 
Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, June 15, 1863. 
First Lieutenant, July 7, 1863. Captain Company F, Dec. 1, 1863. 
Brevet-Major United-States Volunteers, to date from March 13, 1865. 
Slightly wounded in the arm during the action on James Island, S.C., 
July 2, 1861. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a 
clerk in the Boston Custom House, and resides at Plymouth, Mass. 

Wtllia:\i Haviland Torret. — Captain. Machinist. Single. Born 
in Baltimore, Md., 1839. Residence, when commissioned, Foxboro', Mass. 
Entered the service of the United States in the Twenty-fourth Massachu- 
setts Infantry, in which regiment he served as a Sergeant. First Lieuten- 
ant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, July 20, 1863. Captain Company 
C, March 1, 1861. Brevet-Major United-States Volunteers, to date from 
March 13, 1865. Resigned, July 7, 1865. His residence and business, at 
last accounts, were in Foxboro', Mass. 

George Moore Woodward. — Captain. Attorney. Single. Born 
in Worcester, Mass., April 6, 1838. Served nine months as Private in 
Forty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry. First Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, June 22, 1863. Captain Company A, Sept. 18, 1&64. 
Severely wounded in the leg, at Honey Hill, S.C., Xov. 30, 1861. 
Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now engaged in the prac- 
tice of law in Worcester, Mass. 

Thomas Foldes Ellsworth. — Captain. Clerk. Married. Born 
in Ipswich, Mass., Nov. 12, 1810. Residence, when commissioned, Ip- 
swich, Mass. Enlisted as Private in Company K, Second Massachusetts 
Infantry, July 6, 1862. Corporal, July 3, 1863, for bravery in action. 
Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, Oct. 24, 1863. First 
Lieutenant, July 27, 1861. Captain Company H, April 6, 1865, for 
bravery at the battle of Honey Hill, S.C. Resigned, June 23, 1865. Is, 
at present, a night-inspector in the Custom House, Boston, and resides at 
East Cambridge, Mass. 

Josiah C.Hall. — Captain. Teacher. Single. Born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, Dec. 3, 1840. Residence, when commissioned, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Private, Corporal, and Sergeant, Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry, from Oct. 9, 
1861, to April 9, 1861. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
Infantry, Feb. 11, 1861. First Lieutenant, Sept. 28, 1861. Captain 
Company D, "for bravery and gallantry in the battle-field," April 13, 
1865. Severely wounded at Honey Hill, S.C, 2\ov. 30, 1861, by a minie 
ball through the body. Mustered out with the regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. 
Resides, at present, in Cincinnati, Ohio. 



104 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



George Thompson Garrison. — Captain. Printer. Single. Bom 
in Brooklyn, Conn., Feb. 13, 1836. Eesidence, when commissioned, 
Boston, Mass. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, 
June 22, 1863. First Lieutenant, Dec. 1, 1863. Captain Company I, 
June 24, 1865. Served as Acting Regimental Quartermaster during the 
spring of 1864. Brevet-Major United- States Volunteers, to date from 
March 13, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a 
book-keeper, and resides in the Highland District of Boston. 

Nathaniel Eustace Ladd. — Captain. Shoemaker. Single. Born 
in Groveland, Mass., June 16, 1840. Residence, when commissioned, 
Groveland, Mass. Served as a Private in Company A of the Thirty-third 
Massachusetts Infantry. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
Infantry, Sept. 14, 1863. First Lieutenant, May 19, 1864. Captain 
Company H, Aug. 26, 1865. Brevet-Major United-States Volunteers, to 
date from March 13, 1865. Assistant Provost-Marshal, Charleston, S.C., 
summer, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is a man- 
ufacturer of boots and shoes, and resides in Groveland, Mass. 

Georg-e Frederick McKay. — Captain. Book-keeper. Single. 
Born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 23, 1842. Residence, when commissioned, 
Boston, Mass. Enlisted in July, 1862, as a Private in Company C, Thir- 
teenth Massachusetts Infantry, and served until May, 1864, having been, 
during a part of that time, on detail at Corps Headquarters of First Army 
Corps. First Lieutenant Fifty -fifth Massachusetts Infantry, May 11, 1864. 
Adjutant, June 1, 1864. Captain Company C, Feb. 27, 1865. Wounded, 
Feb. 9, 1865, at Charleston and Savannah Railroad, while serving as Acting 
Assistant Adjutant-General on the staff" of Colonel and Brevet Brigadier- 
General Hallo well. Brevet-Major United- States Volunteers, to date from 
March 13, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a 
book-keeper, and resides in Boston, Mass. 

Wyllts Gannett. — First Lieutenant. Sailor. Single. Born in 
St. Louis, Mo., 1837. Residence when commissioned, St. Louis, Mo. 
Entered the service of the United States in the Twenty-fourth Massachu- 
setts Infantry, and served as a Sergeant in that regiment. First Lieuten- 
ant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, July 19, 1863. Resigned, June 6, 
1864. Recommissioned, Feb. 1, 1865, and mustered out with regiment, 
Aug. 29, 1865. Brevet-Captain United-States Volunteers, to date from 
March 13, 1865. He now resides in St. Louis, Mo. 

Ephraim Albert Wood. — First Lieutenant. Clerk. Single. Born 
in Boston, Mass., 1841. Residence, when commissioned, Chelsea, Mass. 
Enlisted in. the Thirteenth Massachusetts Infantry, July 16, 1861. First 
Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, July 20, 1863. Resigned, 
Nov. 20, 1863, on account of sickness, aggravated by the effects of wounds 
received at the battle of Antietam. Is now a travelling salesman, and may 
be addressed care of Henry Wood's Son & Co., 45, Broad Street, Boston. 



ROLL OF SURVIVING OFFICERS. 



105 



Robertson James. — First Lieutenant. Single. Born in Albany, 
N.Y., Aug. 31, 1846. Residence, when commissioned, Newport, R.I. 
Second Lieutenant Fifty -fifth Massachusetts Infantry, May 16, 1863. First 
Lieutenant, Sept. 1, 1863. Brevet-Captain United-States Volunteers, to 
date from March 13, 1865. Served on the staff of Gen. Ames, in Florida, 
and also, for a short time, in Virginia. Resigned, July 12, 1865. Is now 
in business in connection with a railroad at Burlington, Iowa. 

Edward Stearns Stimpson. — First Lieutenant. Clerk. Married. 
Born in Danvers, Mass., March 16, 1836. Served with the Salem Zouaves 
from April 18, to Aug. 1, 1861. Enlisted as Sergeant in Forty-eighth 
Massachusetts Infantry. Afterwards transferred to Sixteenth Massachu- 
setts Infantry. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, May 
22, 1863. First Lieutenant May 23, 1863. Was on detached service as 
Post Adjutant, at Pawnee Landing, Folly Island, S.C., during the winter 
of 1863-4, and for a short time was acting Adjutant of the regiment. Was 
favorably mentioned in general orders, for conduct on a reconnoissance on 
James Island, S.C., May 10, 1864. Resigned, June 6, 1864. Is now in 
the employ of the Salem Leg Co., and resides in Salem, Mass. 

Harrison Holt. — Residence, when commissioned, Andover, Mass. 
Had previously served as First Lieutenant in a New-York cavalry regi- 
ment, and resigned on account of wounds. First Lieutenant Fifty-fifth 
Massachusetts Infantry, June 24, 1863. Resigned, Oct. 14, 1863. His 
present business and residence are unknown. 

Ezekiel Fowler. — First Lieutenant. Married. Painter. Born in 
Salisbury, Mass., 1825. Residence, when commissioned, Amesbury, 
Mass. Entered the service of the United States, in the Fourteenth 
Massachusetts (First Heavy Artillery) Regiment, and served in that regi- 
ment as Sergeant Major. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts 
Infantry, May 28, 1863. First Lieutenant Nov. 1, 1863. Resigned, June 
15, 1864. His present residence and occupation are unknown. 

Thomas . Leader Harm an. — First Lieutenant. Clerk. Married. 
Born in Southampton, England, 1840. Residence, when commissioned, 
Cambridge, Mass. Was a Sergeant in the Thirteenth Massachusetts 
Battery. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, May 26, 
1863. First Lieutenant, July 9, 1864. Resigned, June 3, 1865. Is now 
in business in New-York City. 

Alphonzo Marsh. — First Lieutenant. Painter. Married. Born in 
Hingham, Mass., 1839. Residence, when commissioned, Fitchburg, Mass. 
Enlisted as a private in the Twenty-first Massachusetts Infantry, July 19, 
1861. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, Aug. 21, 
1863. First Lieutenant, July 9, 1864. Resigned, Sept. 20, 1864. Is now 
a painter in the employ of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and resides 
in Philadelphia. 

14 



106 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



William C. Roberts. — First Lieutenant. Provision-dealer. Mar- 
ried. Born in Weston, Mass., 1835. Residence, when commissioned 
Weston, Mass. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, 
March 5, 1864. First Lieutenant, Sept. 18, 1864. Brevet- Captain 
United-States Volunteers, to date from March 13, 1865. Mustered out 
with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a provision-dealer, and resides in 
Boston, Mass. 

Josiah A. Bean. — First Lieutenant. Shoe-cutter. Married. Born 
in Mt. Vernon, Me., 1828. Residence, when commissioned, South Natick, 
Mass. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, March 16, 

1864. First Lieutenant, March 13, 1865. Brevet-Captain United-States 
Volunteers, to date from March 13, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, 
Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a grocer, and resides in South Natick, 
Mass. 

E. Harris Jewett. — First Lieutenant. Clerk. Single. Residence, 
when commissioned, Roxbury, Mass. Served as a Private in the Sixth 
New-York Cavalry. Second Lieutenant, Sept. 12, 1864. First Lieuten- 
ant, April 13, 1865. Slightly wounded at Honey Hill, S.C. Mustered 
out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Present residence, New- York City. 

Henry Newton Sheldon. — First Lieutenant. Lawyer. Single. 
Born in Waterville, Me., June 28, 1843. Residence, when commis- 
sioned, Boston, Mass. Graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1863. 
Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, Sept. 24, 1864. 
First Lieutenant, April 13, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 

1865. Is now a lawyer, and resides in Boston, Mass. 

Peter N. Spragtje. — First Lieutenant. Boot and shoe cutter. 
Married. Born in Hingham, Mass., Dec. 16, 1826. Residence, when 
commissioned, East Weymouth, Mass. Served three months as Sergeant, 
Company I, Fourth Regiment, M.V.M., in the spring of 1861. Second 
Lieutenant Fifty -fifth Massachusetts Infantry, Sept. 24, 1864. First 
Lieutenant, April 21, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 
1865. Is now an entry clerk in a store in Boston, and resides in Hing- 
ham, Mass. 

Solomon C. Starbird. — First Lieutenant. Teacher. Married. 
Born in Fairfield, Me., 1832. Residence, when commissioned, New-York 
City. Served previously as a Sergeant in the One-hundred-and-twenty- 
seventh New-York Infantry. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, 
Nov. 16, 1864. First Lieutenant, Aug. 5, 1865. Mustered out with 
regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a teacher at Irvington, New York. . 

Charles L. Roberts. — First Lieutenant. Clerk. Married. Born 
in Weston, Mass., Nov. 17, 1843. Residence, when commissioned, Weston, 
Mass. Enlisted as a Private in the Thirty -fifth Massachusetts Infantry, 
at its organization. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, 



ROLL OF SURVIVING OFFICERS. 



107 



Dec. 5, 1864. First Lieutenant, July 25, 1865. Is now a provision- 
dealer, and resides in Boston, Mass. 

George H. Carter. — First Lieutenant. Clerk. Single. Born 
in Dorchester, Mass., 1840. Residence, when commissioned, Boston, 
Mass. Served as Private in the Forty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry. 
Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, Dec. 13, 1864. First 
Lieutenant, Aug. 6, 1865. Brevet-Captain United-States Volunteers, to 
date from March 13, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. 
Is now an insurance agent in Boston, Mass. 

John H. Kingston. — Second Lieutenant. Residence, when commis- 
sioned, Lexington, Ky. Was a Corporal in the Twenty-third Kentucky 
Infantry. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, June 6, 
1863. Resigned and mustered out, at Readville, in July, 1863. His pres- 
ent residence and occupation are unknown. 

William Dorance Messinger. — Second Lieutenant. Single. 
Residence, when commissioned, Peterboro', N.Y. Second Lieutenant Fifty- 
fifth Massachusetts Infantry, June 22, 1863. Resigned, Dec. 27, 1863. 
Is now in the Commercial National Bank, Chicago, 111. 

Joseph Towne Nichols. — Second Lieutenant. Mechanic. Married. 
Residence, when commissioned, Royalston, Mass. Served, previously, as a 
Private in the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry. Second Lieutenant 
Fifty-fifth . Massachusetts Infantry, July 7, 1863. Commissioned First 
Lieutenant, but not mustered. Resigned, June 4, 1864. Resides in Roy- 
alston, Mass. 

Ezra P. Gould. — Second Lieutenant. Residence, when commis- 
sioned, Cambridge, Mass. Was a Corporal in the Twenty-fourth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, 
Dec. 20, 1863. Transferred to the Fifty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, 
Jan. 22, 1864, as Captain, and was afterwards promoted to be Major. He 
resides in Newton Centre, Mass. 

Albert Henry Bradish. — Second Lieutenant. Clerk. Single. 
Born in Boston, Mass., March 8, 1844. Residence, when commissioned, 
Boston, Mass. Served nine months as Private of the Forty-fourth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry. Second Lieutenmt Fifty -fifth Massachusetts Infantry, 
March 7, 1864. Resigned, June 30, 1864. Acting Post Ordnance Officer 
at Pilatka, during the stay of the regiment at that point. Is now a dealer 
in manufacturers' articles, and resides at Milwaukie, Wis. 

Charles F. Lee. — Second Lieutenant. Clerk. Single. Born in 
Templeton, Mass., 1842. Residence, when commissioned, Templeton, 
Mass. Served as Corporal Eighteenth Massachusetts Infantry, — seriously 
wounded in action. Lieutenant Fifty-seventh Massachusetts Infantry. 
Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, Feb. 1, 1865. Com- 
missioned as First Lieutenant, but not mustered. Brevet First Lieutenant 



108 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



United-States Volunteers, to date from March 13, 1865. Mustered out 
with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a real-estate agent in Boston, Mass. 

George A. Glidden. — Second Lieutenant. Residence, when com- 
missioned, Natick, Mass. Served as Sergeant in Second Massachusetts 
Infantry. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, May 6, 
1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Present residence, 
Natick, Mass. 

Marshall E. Hunter. — Second Lieutenant. Watchmaker. Married. 
Born in New Salem, Mass., 1841. Residence, when commissioned, Boston, 
Mass. Served as Private Third Rhode-Island Cavalry, and Sergeant 
Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. Second Lieutenant Fifty-fifth Massachu- 
setts Infantry, May 15, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. 
Present residence, Chicago, 111. 

James Monroe Trotter. — Second Lieutenant. Teacher. Single. 
Born in Grand Gulf, Miss., Feb. 7, 1842. Residence, when commissioned, 
Cincinnati, Ohio. Enlisted as a Private in Company K, Fifty-fifth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, at its formation. First Sergeant, June 11, 1863. Ser- 
geant-Major, Nov. 19, 1863. Commissioned Second Lieutenant, April 10, 

1864, but not mustered until July 1, 1865. Slightly wounded at Honey 
Hill, S.C., Nov. 30, 1864. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. 
Is now a clerk in the Boston post-office, and resides in Boston. 

William H. Dupree. — Second Lieutenant. Plasterer. Single. Born 
in Petersburg, Va., March 13, 1838. Residence, when commissioned, 
Chillicothe, Ohio. Enlisted as a Private in Company H, Fifty-fifth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, June 5, 1865. First Sergeant, June 25, 1865. Com- 
missioned Second Lieutenant, May 30, 1864, but not mustered until July 1, 

1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Is now a letter-carrier 
from the Boston post-office, and resides in Boston, Mass. 

Charles L. Mitchell. — Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Sept. 20, 
1865, but never mustered, on account of disability from wounds. Printer. 
Single. Born in Hartford, Conn., November, 1829. Residence, when com- 
missioned, Boston, Mass. Enlisted in Company F, Fifty-fifth Massachu- 
setts Infantry, during the formation of the regiment. Corporal, Aug. 23, 
1863. Sergeant, June 20, 1864. Severely wounded, losing his right foot, 
at Honey Hill, S.C., Nov. 30, 1864, and was discharged, in consequence, 
Oct. 20, 1865. He represented Ward Six, of Boston, in the Legislature 
of 1866-7. Is, at present, a printer, and resides in Boston, Mass. 

Abram W. Shadd. — Commissioned as Second Lieutenant, but never 
mustered, on account of the muster-out of regiment. Teacher. Married. 
Born in West Chester, Pa., Feb. 25, 1844. Residence, when commissioned, 
Chatham, C.W. Enlisted as a Private, in Company B, Fifty-fifth Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, May 16, 1863. Appointed Quartermaster Sergeant, 
June 24, 1863. Returned to company, in consequence of change in Quar- 



ROLL OF SURVIVING OFFICERS. 



109 



termaster's Department, Nov. 19, 1863. Sergeant, Aug. 4, 1864. Ser- 
geant-Major, July 1, 1865. Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. 
Is now keeping a photographic gallery, and studying law, at South Saginaw, 
Mich. 

Richard M.White. — Commissioned Second Lieutenant, but never 
mustered, on account of discharge of regiment. Farmer and drover. 
Married. Born in Sumter, S.C. Residence, when commissioned, Ohio. 
Served in a Kansas Cavalry Regiment. Enlisted as Private in Company 
D, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry. Sergeant, May 31, 1863. Regi- 
mental Commissary Sergeant, Dec. 12, 1863. Mustered out with the 
regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Present residence, Savannah, Ga. 

Martin F. Becker. — Commissioned Second Lieutenant, but never 
mustered, on account of discharge of regiment. Was born in Africa, and 
educated in Germany. Enlisted as a Private in Company B, Fifty-fifth 
Massachusetts Infantry. Commissary Sergeant, June 24, 1863. Returned 
to company, Dec. 12, 1863. Quartermaster Sergeant, March 1, 1864. 
Mustered out with regiment, Aug. 29, 1865. Present residence, Charles- 
ton, S.C. Was a member of the Constitutional Convention of South Caro- 
lina. 

Armstead M. Jones. — Commissioned as Second Lieutenant, but never 
mustered, on account of the discharge of the regiment. Brickmaker. 
Married. Born in Charlotte County, Va. Enlisted, at the formation of 
the regiment, in Company D, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry. Ser- 
geant, May 25, 1863, and Color- Sergeant of the regiment until June, 1864. 
First Sergeant, July 1, 1865. Is now a gardener, and resides at Sidney, 
Ohio. 



STATISTICS OF ENLISTED MEN. 



Number who had been slaves 247 

„ pure blacks 550 

„ mixed blood 430 

„ who could read 477 

„ who could read and write 319 

„ church-members 52 

„ married 219 

Average age 231 years. 

„ height 5 T 7 2 feet . 

CAUSES OF DEATH. 

/ Typhoid fever 33 

/ Chronic diarrhoea » 8 

I Pneumonia 8 

\ Consumption 6 

Disease. / General debility 6 

\ Dysentery 2 

I Small-pox 1 

f Measles 1 

1 Congestive chills 1 

\ Unknown (mostly died away from regiment) 46 

Sentence general court-martial . . 4 

Accident 4 

Murdered 1 

In action, or from wounds received 54 

175 



STATISTICS OF ENLISTED MEN. 



Ill 



DATE. 


Average Sick. 


Diseases. 


DEATHS. 

In action or 
from wounds. 


Other causes. 


Desertion. 


1863. 












July .... 


_ 


7 


_ 




3 


Aug 


119 


10 


_ 






Sept 


156 


8 


_ 


_ 


_ 


Oct 


198 


10 


_ 


_ 


_ 


Nov 


122 


10 


_ 


_ 


1 


Dec 


116 


6 


_ 






1864. 












Jan 


112 


4 


- 


- 


- 


Feb 


49 


1 


- 


3 


- 


March .... 


18 


1 


- 


- 


- 


April .... 


47 


5 


- 


- 


- 


May .... 


97 


2 


— 


_ 


/ — 


June .... 


63 


2 


_ 


1 


f _ 


July .... 


80 


3 


ii 


2 


_ 


Aug 


89 


2 






_ 


Sept 


72 


5 


_ 


_ 


_ 


Oct 


58 


2 


_ 


_ 


1 


Nov 


53 


1 


30 


1 


_ 


Dec 


20 


6 


10 


_ 


3* 


1865. 












Jan 


16 


3 


1 


1 


1 


Feb 


8 


7 








March .... 


34 


9 


2 






April .... 


39 








- 


May .... 


23 


2 




1 




June .... 


41 










July .... 


58 


4 






21 


Au g 




1 








Sept 




1 












112 


54 


9 


30 



* During the year; exact date unknown. 



CAUSES OF DISCHARGE. 

Disability from sickness 82 

„ „ wounds received in action 35 

„ „ „ „ accidentally 2 

119 



RECRUITS RECEIVED. 



1863 


1 


Oct. 12, 1864 . 


. 10 


March 25, 1865 . 


. 6 


Jan., 1864 .... 


15 


Oct. 23, 1864 . 


. 48 


Feb. 1, 1865 . . 


. 19 


March 14, 1864 . . 


1 


March 12, 1865 . 


. 16 


April 15, 1865 . 


1 


May 7, 1864 . . . 


1 


March 20, 1865 . 


. 31 


April 17, 1865 . 


1 


June 14,1864. . . 


1 


March 22, 1865 . 


. 1 


May, 1865 . . . 


1 


Total 













112 



FIFTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. 



BIRTHPLACE. 



Maine . . . . 


1 


North Carolina . . 


30 


Kentucky .... 


68 


Vermont . . . 


1 


South Carolina . . 


6 


Tennessee .... 


24 


Massachusetts . . 


. 22 


Georgia .... 


6 


Michigan .... 


8 


Rhode Island 


. 3 


Alabama . . . . 


5 


Wisconsin .... 


7 


Connecticut . . 


. 4 


Mississippi . . . 


9 




9 


New York . . . 


. 23 


Louisiana .... 


1 


District of Columbia 


10 


New Jersey . . 


. 8 


Arkansas .... 


1 


Nova Scotia . . . 


1 


Pennsylvania . . 


. 139 


Missouri . . . . 


66 




3 


Delaware . . . 


. 13 


Ohio 


222 




1 


Maryland . . . 


. 19 


Indiana . . . . 


97 


Unknown .... 


11 


Virginia . . 


. 106 


Illinois . . . . . 


56 








TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS. 




Farmers . . . 


. 596 


Masons and Plaster- 




Machinist .... 




Laborers . . 


. 76 


ers 


16 


Rope-maker . . . 




Barbers . . . . 


. 34 


Brickmakers . . . 


3 


Fisherman .... 




Waiters . . . 


. 50 


Whitewashers . . 


2 






Cooks . . . 


. 27 


Stonecutters . . . 


2 


Harness-maker . . 




Blacksmiths 


. 21 


Printers . . . . 


3 






Painters . . 


7 


Boatmen . . 


6 


Glass-grinder . . . 




Teamsters . . 


. 27 


Teachers . . . . 


6 


Musician .... 




Grooms . . . 


7 


Clerks ..... 


5 


Moulder .... 




Hostlers . . . 


. 9 


Porters .... 


5 


Confectioner . . . 




Coachmen . . 


. 3 


Carpenters . . . 


6 


Tobacco-worker . . 




Coopers . . . 


. 5 


Wagon-makers . . 


2 


Clergyman . . . 




Sailors . . . 


. 20 


Millers 


2 


Broom-maker . . . 




Butchers . . 


. 8 


Engineers . . . 


3 






Iron-workers . 


. 2 


Firemen . . ^ . . 


2 






Shoemakers 


. 9 


Coppersmith . . . 


1 







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Remarks. 


Sergeant May 14, 1864. 
Wounded Nov. 30, 1864. 
Corporal March 24, 1864. 
Wounded Nov. 30, 1864. 

Corporal July 1, 1865. 

Died Beaufort, S.C, Dec. 12, 1863, pneumonia. 


Present Residence. 


Boston, Mass. 
Kentucky. 
Detroit, Mich. 
Uniontown, Pa. 
Boston, Mass. 
Barnesville, 0. 
Boston, Mass. 
Camden, Me. 

Carlisle, Pa. 


Occupation. 


Mariner. 
Farmer. 

Groom. 
Farmer. 

Blacksmith. 
Farmer. 


Residence. 


Boston, Mass. 
Troy, 0. 
Georgetown, Mo. 
Uniontown, Pa. 
New York. 
Barnesville, 0. 
Flushing, 0. 
Washington, D.C. 
Bolton, Md. 
Carlisle, Pa. 


Rank. 


Corporal. 
Private. 

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Corporal. 
Private. 

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MOOiSOOMOONiOH 


Name. 


Wallace, Thomas . . 
Wicker, William . . 
Washington, Thomas 
Webster, Samuel . . 
Willson, Francis B. . 
Wilson, Joseph . . . 
Wood, John D. . . . 
Williams, Thomas 
Watts, Jeremiah . . 
Welcome, Israel J. 



Remarks. 


Drummer. 
One vear. 

Killed Nov. 30, 1864. 
; one year; band. 

Killed Nov. 30, 1864. 

65. 

Died June, 1865, disease. 

65. 






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Present Residence. 


Virginia. 

Frederick, Md. 
Norfolk, Va. 

Boston, Mass. 

Philadelphia, Pa. 
Lynn, Mass. 
Salem, Mass. 

Salem, Mass. 
>i 

Boston, Mass. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New-York City. 

Boston, Mass. 
Manchester, N.H. 
Boston, Mass. 

Petersburg, Va. 
Boston, Mass. 


Occupation. 


Laborer. 

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Laborer. 

Waiter. 

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Farmer. 

Laborer. 

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Cook. 

Teamster. 

Farmer. 

Waiter. 


Residence. 


West Springfield. 

Maryland. 
Concord, Mass. 
Buffalo, N.Y. 
Boston, Mass. 
East Maryland. 
Canada. 
Salem, Mass. 

11 
11 

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Salem, Mass. 
Boston, Mass. 

11 
11 

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West Indies. 
Boston, Mass. 
Petersburg, Va. 
Boston, Mass. 


Rank. 


Private. 


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Name. 


Davis, Samuel . . . 
Garner, Milton M. 
Matthews, John E. . 
Miner, Thomas . . . 
Williams, Patton . . 
Revalion, A. H. . . 
Viner, Henry . . . 
Wilson, Joseph . . . 
Chase, Jacob C. . . 
Cassell, Charles C. . 
Cassell, James M. . . 
Coleman, George B. . 
Gibbes, William . . 
Fountain, J. W. . . 
Shearman, William . 
Smith, William A. . 

Stewart, L 

Williams, George . . 
Brown, David . . . 
Beach, Samuel F. . . 
Green, Henry . . . 
Lew, Zimri .... 
Sampson, David H. . 
Miller, Jason J. . . 
Samuels, Henry . . 
Henry, Thomas . . 
Hallam, Charles M. . 
Blue, Daniel . . . 



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CAMBRIDGE: 
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July, 1868. 



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